Physicians and Core Values

Why did you decide to become a doctor? Was it to help others, to challenge yourself, or to make a living? If you are like most physicians I know, it was likely a combination of all three. Now, pause a minute, and think about why you have the postion you currently hold. Why do you get out of bed every morning

When was the last time you thought about what is truly important to you? As physicians, we face a whirlwind of responsibilities, expectations, and challenges. Amidst the growing epidemic of burnout and job dissatisfaction plaguing our profession, it’s crucial to pause and reflect on a fundamental question:

Are our daily personal and professional actions genuinely aligned with our core values?

In other words, are you honoring your “why?”

Misalignment between what we believe in and what we do can significantly contribute to the sense of disconnection and frustration many of us experience. As healers, we entered this field with a set of deeply held beliefs, yet the realities of modern medical practice frequently conflict with these foundational principles.

In this blog, we’ll explore the concept of core values and their importance in our lives as physicians. Most importantly, we will provide actionable steps to bridge the gap between our values and actions. By reconnecting with what truly matters to us and aligning our behaviors accordingly, we can combat burnout and rediscover the passion and purpose that drew us to medicine in the first place.

What are core values?

Core values are the fundamental beliefs and principles that guide an individual’s behavior, decision-making, and overall approach to life. They are the essence of who a person is and what they stand for, serving as a moral compass that shapes their actions, attitudes, and interactions with others.

For physicians, core values might include:

• Compassion: Genuinely caring for patients and their well-being.
• Integrity: Maintaining honesty and ethical standards in all professional dealings.
• Excellence: Striving for the highest quality of care and continuous improvement.
• Respect: Treating all patients, colleagues, and staff with dignity and consideration.
• Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of patients and their families.
• Lifelong learning: Committing to ongoing education and staying current with medical advancements.
• Patient-centeredness: Prioritizing the needs and preferences of patients in care decisions.
• Collaboration: Working effectively with other healthcare professionals for optimal patient outcomes.
• Accountability: Taking responsibility for one’s actions and decisions in patient care.
• Work-life balance: Valuing personal well-being and maintaining a healthy equilibrium between professional and personal life.

These core values are deeply personal and can vary from one physician to another. They are often shaped by personal experiences, cultural background, education, and professional training. Living life according to your core values is essential for personal fulfillment and professional success, especially for physicians facing daily complex ethical decisions. Core values serve as a moral compass, guiding our choices and actions personally and professionally.

Values exist at different levels in society. These levels can include:

• Personal values are individual beliefs and principles that shape our character and guide our behavior. For physicians, personal values might include compassion, integrity, and lifelong learning.
• Professional values: These are standards and ethics specific to a profession. The Hippocratic Oath outlines many of the core professional values physicians share.  These professional values often include patient-centeredness, evidence-based practice, integrity, service, and confidentiality.
• Societal values are broader cultural norms and expectations that influence how we interact within our communities. Examples include respect for human rights, equality, and social responsibility.
• Organizational values: In healthcare settings, these principles guide institutional decision-making and culture, such as innovation, teamwork, and excellence in patient care.

Because every person is unique, it is common for there to be conflit between personal values, societal values, and organizational vallues. This conflict is referred to as value misalignment.

How does value misalignment impact physicians?

When physicians make decisions that conflict with their core values, it can lead to moral injury, burnout, and decreased job satisfaction. Professionally, this misalignment may manifest as:

• Reduced quality of patient care due to decreased engagement and motivation
• Increased likelihood of medical errors or ethical lapses
• Strained relationships with colleagues and patients
• Higher turnover rates and career dissatisfaction

How can physicians realign their actions with their core values?

To help physicians align their core values with their careers, here are three exercises:

Values Clarification:

1. 1. Take time to reflect on and articulate your personal and professional values.
   2. Write them down and rank them in order of importance.
   3. Compare these to your organization’s stated values to identify areas of alignment or potential conflict.

Decision-Making Audit:

1. 1. Review recent challenging decisions you’ve made at work.
   2. Analyze how well these decisions align with your core values.
   3. Identify patterns and areas where you may need to adjust your approach to reflect your values better.

Values-Based Goal Setting

Set professional goals that explicitly incorporate your core values. For example, if continuous learning is a core value, set a goal to attend several educational conferences or pursue a new certification. This ensures your career trajectory aligns with what matters most to you.

By consciously aligning their actions with their core values, physicians can enhance their professional satisfaction, improve patient care, and contribute positively to the healthcare system. Remember, living according to your values is not just about personal fulfillment – it’s about being the best healthcare provider you can be for your patients and community—daily interactions are known to effectively enhance emotional intelligence in healthcare settings. Consistent application of these steps can significantly elevate a physician’s emotional intelligence, improving patient care and professional satisfaction. When consistently applied, these steps can dramatically boost a physician’s emotional intelligence, improving patient care and professional satisfaction.