If there were an Oxford dictionary definition, it would read something like; 'noun - used to describe the ability to hide one's true feelings and thoughts behind a face that suggests you are neither affected nor concerned by what is happening.'
Doctors are GREAT at game face. I do sometimes wonder whether, personally and professionally, we've got the balance a bit skewed.
Professionally, some would argue 'Game Face' is crucial. On my oncology job, it would have been curtains if I'd fallen apart with every tough conversation or breaking bad news encounter. Yes, these discussions may have been difficult for me to bear personally, but you've still got to get through your shift so that they and the other patients don't suffer. Further more, it would almost be selfish to imagine that any news you deliver to a patient or their families is more upsetting to you than it is to them. Your job is to be empathetic but 'the rock'. I'm now working on the intensive care unit and the emergency admissions unit, and you can imagine the range of traumatic situations one encounters on a daily basis.
For me, all of this has evolved somewhat since losing my friends. Being in ITU has been especially challenging because my friend was in ITU after the avalanche. I know exactly what it feels like for those families who come in to an environment with all the beeping machines and almost space-like sterility. Someone comes and tinkers with a machine and then walks off again - what were they doing? What does it mean?
But almost from the start, I have felt that wearing too much of the mask means you lose why you became a doctor in the first place. People know when you're not being real. No-one is emotionless - and so I have let the controls go a little and have a bit of banter in the more light hearted moments, and, to an extent, wear a little of my heart on my sleeve in the sadder ones.
My game face has also changed personally. I think Una and Rachel always saw their own worth, in a very humble way, and channelled it to bring joy to others; I feel this strength from them at a time where I have found myself really missing them. Sometimes we should just be honest and not be embarrassed by ourselves.
To value yourself helps you to see the strength and character of others, and I think game face can get in the way of that. But I also think it gets in the way of seeing what is true, good and right about people. And whether it's in your personal life or at work, whatever work you do, how can you respect and value someone truly unless you're real with them, and they're real with you?
It's been a tough few months, and maximal game face is the only thing that's saved me in bleak moments. The other thing is being around 'good people' and you know how I know they're good? Because there's no game face, and we're all honest. Boom. It's tough to define what a 'good person' or a 'good doctor' is, but I'd suggest that's somewhere to start. So come on everyone, retract that game face a little and you may just be surprised....
Doctors are GREAT at game face. I do sometimes wonder whether, personally and professionally, we've got the balance a bit skewed.
Professionally, some would argue 'Game Face' is crucial. On my oncology job, it would have been curtains if I'd fallen apart with every tough conversation or breaking bad news encounter. Yes, these discussions may have been difficult for me to bear personally, but you've still got to get through your shift so that they and the other patients don't suffer. Further more, it would almost be selfish to imagine that any news you deliver to a patient or their families is more upsetting to you than it is to them. Your job is to be empathetic but 'the rock'. I'm now working on the intensive care unit and the emergency admissions unit, and you can imagine the range of traumatic situations one encounters on a daily basis.
For me, all of this has evolved somewhat since losing my friends. Being in ITU has been especially challenging because my friend was in ITU after the avalanche. I know exactly what it feels like for those families who come in to an environment with all the beeping machines and almost space-like sterility. Someone comes and tinkers with a machine and then walks off again - what were they doing? What does it mean?
 |
| This is Una in a nutshell! From her wall at her flat in Edinburgh. |
But almost from the start, I have felt that wearing too much of the mask means you lose why you became a doctor in the first place. People know when you're not being real. No-one is emotionless - and so I have let the controls go a little and have a bit of banter in the more light hearted moments, and, to an extent, wear a little of my heart on my sleeve in the sadder ones.
My game face has also changed personally. I think Una and Rachel always saw their own worth, in a very humble way, and channelled it to bring joy to others; I feel this strength from them at a time where I have found myself really missing them. Sometimes we should just be honest and not be embarrassed by ourselves.
To value yourself helps you to see the strength and character of others, and I think game face can get in the way of that. But I also think it gets in the way of seeing what is true, good and right about people. And whether it's in your personal life or at work, whatever work you do, how can you respect and value someone truly unless you're real with them, and they're real with you?
It's been a tough few months, and maximal game face is the only thing that's saved me in bleak moments. The other thing is being around 'good people' and you know how I know they're good? Because there's no game face, and we're all honest. Boom. It's tough to define what a 'good person' or a 'good doctor' is, but I'd suggest that's somewhere to start. So come on everyone, retract that game face a little and you may just be surprised....
No comments:
Post a Comment