Dr. Ryan Shephard is one of the most talented doctors I know and someone who is entirely committed to doing all that he can to save as many lives as possible. I was Ryan’s roommate for 7 years, and during that time, I was able to see the other side of being a doctor, which most people do not see. This is very much the same for anyone who works as a medical professional or emergency services. While we may see a great doctor or nurse who has it all together, the reality can often be very different.
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Emotions
We may think that doctors are devoid of emotions, but that is just not the case, and more often than not, they keep emotions back until they can let them out. I can remember several times that I heard my roomie in emotional distress after a tough day; perhaps a patient of his had been arrested or passed away that day. Of course, he must remain professional; once that door closes; however, things are very different indeed.
Tiredness
Doctors must work incredibly long hours, often 12-hour shifts over the course of multiple days. As you can imagine, with such a stressful and highly charged job, the tiredness can be incredibly tough to cope with. I have seen Ryan on numerous occasions after a tough 5 day stretch of work where he is so fatigued that he cannot even perform the most basic of tasks. I had even seen him engaging in conversation and then falling asleep before he had finished what he was saying. The fatigue which the doctors and nursing staff face is truly incredible, and how they keep going is simply beyond me.
Studying
For most of us, studying stops once we have finished our education, but in a doctor’s world, that is not the case at all. Many doctors still study very hard because they are worried that they will lose the knowledge that could later help a patient. Doctors will also continue to study because of the new advancements and technological improvements that are constantly being made in medicine. They do their best to keep their anger on the pulse to be the very best that they can be.
Leadership
Many doctors have people they look after in the hospital, and they must ensure that they are a good leader for their charges. This is something else that a doctor must focus on, and many of them need to work on leadership skills. Away from the hospital can mean additional stress and days off, which are not, in fact, days off at all. Working as a leader can mean that doctors can make more money, and it can also give them a more prosperous career; they must work very hard for it.
