ACOFP Blog

As we move into the new year, with another year of COVID-19 nearly behind us, these are no longer “unprecedented times.” However, we know that as challenges are tackled, new hurdles arise. So, we asked our members: What are the biggest, hardest or most meaningful lessons you learned in 2021? Here’s what a few of them said.

“The most meaningful lessons I learned in 2021: I matter, flexibility is the name of the game, and taking adequate breaks is crucial.”
—Teshina N. Wilson, DO

“To be kinder to my staff and to my patients because we are all going through difficult times.”
—Andrew Poulshock, DO

“As a family doctor, it is important to remember that our families come first. We aren’t being fully authentic in our practice unless we give our family the best of who we are.”
—Anne Jones, DO, MPH

“To have a heart for and sacrifice to serve the marginalized, the outcasts and the underdogs wherever they or I may be.”
—Steven Smith, DO

“We worked through the biggest pandemic since 1918. We pushed through this “once in a century” ordeal. We talked to patients’ families when they were in the hospital on the ventilator. We discussed the need for masks, social distancing and vaccines. We learned that we all need to fight together to get through this pandemic. We learned to respect our patients’ religious and political beliefs and give them the tools and information to make good choices.

This pandemic has taken medical care to a higher level, and for the rest of our lives, people will ask us how we managed during these tumultuous times. Although we don’t feel like heroes now, future generations will respect our dedication to our patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
—David G. Patterson, DO

“That long-term relationships with families create a meaningful impact on your life, as well as theirs.”
—Doreen Rioux, DO

“While wearing a mask when treating patients, it is extremely important to learn how to make your facial expressions more exaggerated so that people can understand what you are saying in the correct context. Your eyes are the window to the soul, and they should be expressive. Without facial expressions to show what you are thinking and to show that you have empathy or knowledge and understanding of what your patients are telling you, it is difficult to have a meaningful relationship with the patient. When they wear a mask, it is difficult to ascertain if they are truly understanding what you, as the physician, are saying.”
—Elizabeth Pepe, DO

“Make sure you demonstrate to your clinical support staff that you are making every effort to keep them safe.”
—Christie Shanafelt, DO

“This pandemic has taken medical care to a higher level, and for the rest of our lives, people will ask us how we managed during these tumultuous times. Although we don’t feel like heroes now, future generations will respect our dedication to our patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

—David G. Patterson, DO

“Great care can be given in a small community by people who aren’t afraid to get personal and complex in their interactions with patients, and it can be sustained by maintaining high-quality standards and cost efficiency in the form of risk-balanced contracting with insurers.”
—Scott Strom, DO

“Must be resilient and kind always! Keep working and caring. Go with the flow, and lead by example. Self-care and promoting wellness is always important.”
—Julie Roth, DO

“Health care is understaffed everywhere. Every healthcare worker is stressed unbelievably, and mistakes happen. Don’t blame or point fingers. They are doing their best and are only human. Just fix the issue, and do the best you can to take care of patients as a team.”
—Charles P. Shaw, DO

“Educate and support individual choices, as difficult as the potential outcome may be.”
—Karen Flanagan, DO

“That being an osteopathic physician was so very important and meaningful to my patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. They looked to me for advice and leadership and compassion. It was heartbreaking to see my patients get sick and be fearful of if and when they would recover. It reinforced what I’ve always told my patients: I treat you like my family because you are and we are here to help each other no matter what the circumstances may be. I thank God and my medical training for guidance each and every day.”
—James DiTaranto, DO

What did you learn in 2021? Share your lessons learned in the comments below.