Perspectives
Where Joy May Find Us
Abstract
Several of my colleagues have started to use a catchphrase to address a weariness that seems to be common among physicians these days: finding joy in practice. Although the concept of joy does not have roots in the social or psychological sciences, I think that most people would acknowledge having experienced joy—feelings of intense happiness, a sense of deep delight and wonder—at least once in their lifetime. There has been ongoing interest in understanding the forces that affect physicians’ satisfaction with their work,1 but I am not aware of data that report that doctors experience joy differently when compared with our patients or with the general population.This content is limited to qualifying members.
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References
1. Shanafelt TD, Boone S, Tan L, et al. Burnout and satisfaction with work-life balance among US physicians relative to the general US population. Arch Intern Med 2012;172:1377-1385.
2. Sinsky CA, Willard-Grace R, Schutzbank AM, et al. In search of joy in practice: a report of 23 high-functioning primary care practices. Ann Fam Med 2013;11:272-278.
3. Keating T. The Human Condition: Contemplation and Transformation. New York: Paulist Press; 1999.
4. Merton T. The Collected Poems of Thomas Merton. New York: New Directions; 1977.
