I am re-reading Cal Newport’s book Slow Productivity as I try to navigate my new life in private practice.
The central theme of this book is summarised as follows:
- Do fewer things
- Work at a natural pace
- Obsess over quality
In my previous life as an academic, I honestly felt like I was juggling too many things without being able to do any of them particularly well. For those of you who don’t know, being a clinical lecturer effectively means you’re doing 3 jobs at once i.e. teach, treat, and research.
Ironically, it was my PhD that convinced me to make the decision to leave academia and focus on clinical work instead. This was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve had to make in my life. After all, nobody likes to admit that they made a mistake once they have started something. In my case, I realised soon after starting my PhD that I would MUCH rather be at the hospital doing clinical work. Those one-to-one conversations with patients, those were the moments where I felt I could do my best work. Work that was meaningful to me personally, but also meaningful to the patients hopefully.
The thing about private practice is there will always be the temptation to compromise quality for quantity. At times like these, it is good to bear in mind the notion of slow productivity. Give the patient time to tell their story. Delve into their understanding of what is happening and their expectation from the consultation. I know this is not easy, but I hope I can continue to cultivate this approach in my daily routine.
Imran Idris 