Letters to a Young Doctor

Book excerpt: Doctors Sanjiv Chopra and Pankaj Vij, two world-renowned physicians and educators, present Letters to a Young Doctor, a book that offers all the lessons that they don’t teach in medical school: how to find joy, meaning, and happiness in the healthcare professions. It is an essential gift for anyone graduating medical school, starting their residency, or becoming a nurse, physician’s assistant, or EMT. During the COVID-19 pandemic, people all over the world flung open their windows and yelled their heartfelt gratitude for the doctors, nurses, ambulance drivers, and myriad others working tirelessly on the front lines, putting their own lives at risk to care for those affected. Yet despite such support, millions of medical workers experienced unprecedented levels of fatigue, burnout, and trauma. In this elegant and small volume, Drs. Chopra and Vij have written a heartfelt ode to those starting out in the healthcare professions, offering them the much-needed wisdom and inspiration to help them on their journey. Here, they discuss the importance of becoming a lifelong learner and innovator, the importance of mentorship, and the power of listening to patients with a “beginner’s mind.” Letters to a Young Doctor illustrates, through numerous examples and inspiring stories, that there are literally hundreds of paths to success.