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Morgan's lesson of embracing quitting as a decisive action rather than defeatist failure should ring loudly in the ears of current trainees exhausted by the efforts of the last 18 months. I can advocate strongly for the "less grit, more quit" ethos; having found the UK Foundation Programme a demoralising experience, I "quit" medicine to join the Royal Marines Commandos as a General Service (i.e. non-medical) Officer. Seven years later, motivated and re-enthused with medical career aspirations, I am bringing a wealth of non-technical skills and life experience back to the medical profession having now subsequently "quit" the Royal Marines.
You would imagine a Royal Marine would be a champion of "grit" and I am - but not at any cost. If the status quo is harmful to our physical health, mental wellbeing or personal growth, quitting should not be seen as a failure but as a positive act of self-care and self-improvement. Stepping off the treadmill of medical training, or away from the profession entirely as I did, should not be viewed as treading water or a backwards step but as taking the time to invest in yourself, to acquire new skills and to sharpen your mental and psychological tools in preparation for future career challenges.
Time away from medicine allowed me to reflect on my motivations, what my idea of a fulfilling career is, and whether medicine was still right for me or indeed whether I was still right for medicine. I encourage all those who are struggling with their own status quo to read Caroline Elton's excellent Also Human [1]. Reading this after having "quit" medicine, helped me to realise that I hadn't really “quit” after all; I had taken a difficult decision that was in my own best interests and was now ready and motivated to return with much more focus and resilience. Perhaps I can offer an alternative ethos of “more quit, more grit”.
References:
1. Elton C. Also human: the inner lives of doctors. London: Basic Books; 2018
"More quit, more grit" Re: Matt Morgan: “Less grit, more quit” has its benefits
Dear Editor
Morgan's lesson of embracing quitting as a decisive action rather than defeatist failure should ring loudly in the ears of current trainees exhausted by the efforts of the last 18 months. I can advocate strongly for the "less grit, more quit" ethos; having found the UK Foundation Programme a demoralising experience, I "quit" medicine to join the Royal Marines Commandos as a General Service (i.e. non-medical) Officer. Seven years later, motivated and re-enthused with medical career aspirations, I am bringing a wealth of non-technical skills and life experience back to the medical profession having now subsequently "quit" the Royal Marines.
You would imagine a Royal Marine would be a champion of "grit" and I am - but not at any cost. If the status quo is harmful to our physical health, mental wellbeing or personal growth, quitting should not be seen as a failure but as a positive act of self-care and self-improvement. Stepping off the treadmill of medical training, or away from the profession entirely as I did, should not be viewed as treading water or a backwards step but as taking the time to invest in yourself, to acquire new skills and to sharpen your mental and psychological tools in preparation for future career challenges.
Time away from medicine allowed me to reflect on my motivations, what my idea of a fulfilling career is, and whether medicine was still right for me or indeed whether I was still right for medicine. I encourage all those who are struggling with their own status quo to read Caroline Elton's excellent Also Human [1]. Reading this after having "quit" medicine, helped me to realise that I hadn't really “quit” after all; I had taken a difficult decision that was in my own best interests and was now ready and motivated to return with much more focus and resilience. Perhaps I can offer an alternative ethos of “more quit, more grit”.
References:
1. Elton C. Also human: the inner lives of doctors. London: Basic Books; 2018
Competing interests: No competing interests