Are You A Healthy Medical Professional?

Are you a physically fit medical professional?
Does your physical health match your medical advice for others?
If not, did you know that your lack of health might be hurting your business as much as yourself?

A little story, I grew up going to tiny, rural churches in the south where the pastors loved to preach about the evils of alcohol (no commentary on your choices – just a story).  Often, these events would be followed by a covered dish dinner.  One time, after such a sermon, there was pie-eating contest that followed and multiple people pigged out eating a whole pie.  I thought to myself, “Wait a minute.  Didn’t the pastor just say that drinking too much alcohol was a sin?  I think I just saw him eat a whole pie.” 

Convictions on preaching and alcohol aside, your patients are astute.  They are more educated than any patient base at any other time in history.  Yes, webMD sometimes gives bad advice, but people read about their conditions.  They care about their diets.  They train hard and want to live happier, healthier lives.  When their doctors or medical professional’s health don’t line up with the medical advice and care being offered, they go somewhere else and spend their money somewhere else too.

So, what to do?  Here are a couple of tips.

First and foremost, I encourage you to pursue a healthy lifestyle for your own sake.  Mix in regular exercise with temperate eating.  If your own doctor has encouraged you to lower your cholesterol and blood pressure through a change of eating habits, do it.  Don’t put off your health for a day you don’t know will come.

Second, share your health journey with your patients, employees, and co-workers.  Creating a health-conscious work environment makes for an enjoyable workspace, and it also demonstrates to the patient base that what you preach, you also practice. 

Being a personally healthy medical professional demonstrates that you care about other’s health as much as you care about their dollar.  It shows that you believe in what you talk about so much, that you will follow your own advice.  However, not caring for your health is a danger to yourself and perhaps a danger to your business.   

​Gordon Duncan runs, writes, preaches, and consults.  You can learn more about his writing and consulting for the business world at www.prosightsuccessblog.com, and you can find his Optometric business system at www.prosightsuccesss.com. 

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