Detiring

[Olaf Hart]

I need some mentoring, I have another work dilemma.

Three years ago Sweethart and I closed my practice and her business in Sydney and moved to Tassie. We officially kicked off our self funded superannuation plan, and bought a nice place half an hours drive out of Hobart in a sailing paradise (Estar reckons this area is his favourite cruising ground). Money isnt a problem, even in the current economic climate.

We would have gone cruising, but we are the primary carers for our youngest son who had a psychotic episode after finishing high school, and is on medication. He lives in a flat on the farm, largely looks after himself, and is much happier in a low stress environment than in Sydney. We can leave him alone for a up to a month or so, so we can cruise locally but cant take off at the moment. Maybe in the future.

Our older son lives in Denver, so we visit him and his wife regularly.

So, things are pretty good.

Early last year the state Family Practice postgraduate training program was in strife, and I took on the job as Director. It turned around and I was able to hand the job on to a younger guy, and stayed around as an educator to help him. Taking the Directors job was too much, but I managed to sort things out and hand over. The current role involves one or two days a week out in practices supervising Fellowship candidates. I really enjoy it.

Family Practice really means something to me, and I have spent a good deal of my working life promoting quality and standards in practice. The current national training requirements are light on clinical experience, which is apparently OK if someone plans to work in urban practice as they can generally allow for deficits in particular areas, such as musculoskeletal medicine or womens health or paediatrics by the way they structure their practice. I dont agree with it, but that is how people think nowadays.

But not for remote rural practice. There is nowhere to hide deficits in clinical skills in the bush. I trained for rural medicine, and worked there for many years when I was younger. Recently, the state government set up a program to improve clinical training for young doctors going into remote areas. I have set up two similar programs in the past, and trained in what is still Australia's leading residency program for rural practice. It matters to me.

So you can guess what is coming. I have been offered the job of Director of this program, its part time but involves a commitment in the start up phase. I want to take it on, but I took on too much last time. At the moment it doesnt seem to be too big a commitment, but who knows. The funding is only for a year, but part of the role is finding ongoing funds to continue the position.

I guess I should add that I am not religious, but I have done a good deal of research and teaching in the field of happiness. I believe in a greater good, and in our need to contribute to the greater good. If I was not doing this sort of work I would probably be volunteering somewhere.

But anyway, a lot of you guys seem to have this detirement / retirement thing sorted out. I want to take on the job. Any advice?

[Jamie]

Just a stab in the dark...

...but by your description you seem like someone who commits fully once taking on a role, thus it will be a big commitment once you take it on.

But the real question is what do you want out of your retirement and what does your SO think? Given your experience and evident passion, you will most likely be successful and leave a positive legacy; but at what cost and is that worth it to you?

If you think that not doing it would nag at you, then I would say do it. If you think that you would end up volunteering for something else equally challenging anyway, then do it. If your SO has been waiting for you to slow down to spend time together, or something of that ilk, then I would give it a really hard think.

By now I'm sure you know that if you do something against your nature, you will be unhappy and by extension those around you.

0.2cents from someone who is a long way from retirement. vestri mileage may discrepo

[Olaf Hart]

My wife is keen to go cruising, but we both understand our son has to move on before we can do that.
We sometimes travel separately, so we are not away too long.

She has a good network here, and is a potter, sells and does a lot of stuff on commission.
There is no way I know we could fit a kiln on a boat.

When I was home most of the time I was getting on her nerves, so a bit of time away seems to work.

But you are right Jamie, she sees the pattern and wants to be sure we have a way out if it becomes too demanding.

[Orestes Munn]

You are a highly valuable man, Olaf, to your family, your profession, and your country. All that is in clear evidence. Sounds like the hard-to-capture quantity is what your time means to you. I don't know how you figure that out and if you do, let the rest of us know.

Anyway, sounds like there's plenty of fulfillment down either path. Good on ya for a life we'll lived so far,

[kimbottles]

I just knew I liked you Dr. Hart, now you have offered up evidence to explain why. Thanks.

[Boomer]

I believe you already know the answer.

There are way to many go signs here, not impeded significantly by stop signs. When one has such a passion for their work as you obviously do. I'd say go for it.

The humanitarian bonuses of leading such a program in the right direction, far outweigh the penalties.

[SloopJonB]

The primary benefit of being retired is that you are able to do what you want, when you want. It doesn't mean "No work". I'd say you need to take it as you make it pretty clear it's what you want to do.

[LarryHoward]

Olaf,

I hope you decide to take the position. The positive effects of well rounded general practice doctors reaches far beyond the bush.

Interesting that after 33 years in the service and regular transfers (some 16 of them), I believe I received better care from a succession of "flight surgeons" than I have in 8 years of retirement from a single practitioner in a private office. It seems my GP, with semi-annual check ups seems more then ready to medicate me for off nominal test results and provide referrals to specialists for any questions I might have. As an example, I required clearance for knee surgery last year and my EKG was a few months out of date so my GP ran a new one and obtained unusual results. A cardiologist follow up with echo, nuclear stress test, etc. delivered the good news of a "healthy heart with no sign of any defects".

My GP did not inquire as to the cardio results on my next visit. Nor has she on any other speciality visits I've had. Her interest and responsibility ended with the "I can't clear you for surgery. See a specialist."

I think the medical profession significantly undervalues well rounded general practice doctors who actually provide care for the patient and actively help to manage care. Parhaps it's our screwed up funding that drives it, but count me among those that see real value in the benefits of the care you teach.

[BeauV]

OH,

I don't have a lot to add. I keep failing at retirement. Precisely for the reasons you've described so well. I'll see something that needs fixing and know I can fix it. I can't NOT fix it if it's something or someone I care about. I can't know your heart, but I know my own well enough to understand that I'm only truly happy when I'm surrounded by folks I love and doing something that I think makes the world better. The term "better" in this case always means improves things for the people and institutions I really care about. You'll need to figure out if you're wired like that or some other way, but the wiring seems to determine the level of happiness not the specific activities.

Two brief things that might help:

Thing one: My old skipper told me that there are three kinds of people in the world. There are sheep who mostly munch the grass and wander about making more little sheep. There are a few wolves, who pray on the sheep and are quite evil at times. (I know it's over simplified.) Then there are an equally small number of sheepdogs. The sheepdogs source of happiness is protecting sheep. They are never happier than when they are patrolling the boundaries of the flock, barking at or biting a wolf - it defines their existence. My two sons (a Marine Corp soldier and a fireman) and I are sheepdog. It has taken me a long time to realize that it's a blessing and a curse. I love being a sheepdog but like all proper sheepdogs they drive others (and at times the sheep) absolutely nuts with they hyper activity and vigilance. All a sheepdog can do is find a flock and go protect it - then everyone is happy.

Thing two: My life's motto for life: "Anything worth doing is worth doing to excess!"

[VALIS]

Olaf, obviously you have to make this decision for yourself. Me, I'm retired and have learned to avoid taking on long-term commitments where other people are relying on me to stick around. You see, I've got a pretty bad case of (self-diagnosed) A.D.D., and once I get bored with something I lose all interest or motivation. At that point I'm no use to anybody. When I was young and green, most projects were new enough that I could stick to them for a few years -- as long as I was learning something I was OK, and of course the need to pay the mortgage and feed the kids forced me to ignore my occasional lack of interest.

Now that I don't have these external pressures and have gained a bit of experience in my field, I find that my attention drifts pretty quickly. Once I get over the initial hurdles of a problem, the rest soon feels like rote tedium (inspiration / perspiration) and I'm itching to find a new problem to solve. This isn't a good trait when most problems are 90% perspiration. People need 100%, not 10%.

So, after a few post-retirement entanglements I have learned to limit my commitments to short-term efforts, where the definition of "short" depends to some extent on how interesting the project promises to be. This works out better for me, and for those to whom I make the commitment.

So, that usually works for me. I say if you want to do it, either because you find it interesting, or you feel it needs to be done and you're the best person for the job, then by all means go for it. Just be sure that you will be able to see it through properly. I've discovered my own limits in that regard.

[Cherie320]

OH - Ask your wife. If she thinks you should take the job, take it. Thank you for making a difference. Pat

[Olaf Hart]

So I signed up last week.
A lot of travelling, but who can complain about being paid to drive around Tasmania.
A bit cruisy, its in the govmint.
Still finding out which rocks have the spiders under them.
Hope they can cope when I snap into action mode.

Thanks for the help scantlers. Much appreciated.

[Lin]

It sure sounds like the patients will be very fortunate to have you in their corner, and part of their health care. Kudos to you. I am impressed by your insight, honesty and thoughtful approach to the decision that needed to be made.

I have been going to my GP for 31 years and I can not say enough about what a positive influence, an intelligent advocate and caring professional he is, and how it affects the lives and health of his many patients. I have seen the benefits of his outstanding judgement when I have dealt with some of his patients who end up under my care at the hospital. We need people like this, and like you in health care, to teach and mentor others how to do it right.

Best wishes to you in your new position

[Olaf Hart]

Thanks Lin, I have to say I think the Canadian College of Family Practitioners is the worlds leader in the sort of work I do.

I am a member of the Canadian College, so I can mine their ideas and access their teaching resources.

When I get this program up and running I want to go to Canada to help develop the educational part of the program.

There are many similarities between the Canadian and the Australian health systems.

Like a lot of careers, there is a direct link between professional quality and satisfaction on one hand, and vocational education on the other.

Its not just about facts, its also about attitude.

[BeauV]

...snip...

Its not just about facts, its also about attitude.

Olaf, I think this one goes over in the other thread about "great quotes".

[SloopJonB]

There are many similarities between the Canadian and the Australian societies and attitudes.

Fixed it for you.