Staying well in medicine: The importance of a third space
In the highly demanding world of medicine, personal wellbeing often takes a backseat to the urgent needs of patients. It is easy to fall into a relentless cycle reminiscent of those slogan t-shirts: 'work, eat, sleep, repeat.'
Activities outside our core responsibilities may seem frivolous—after all, we're doctors; we supposedly don’t have time! However, it is imperative to not only ensure we are looking after ourselves but also engage in fulfilling activities beyond our professional duties.
The concept of the ‘third space’ refers to environments separate from home - our first space and work - our second space. This is not necessarily a physical location, but a mental or physical refuge away from the demands of both home and work. Developing an effective third space is crucial for doctors to step away from our professional identities, recharge and therefore allow us to return to work with renewed energy and empathy. Alongside meeting our basic needs as outlined in Maslow’s Hierarchy, this acts as a preventative strategy against stress and burnout. In my role as Medical Education and Wellbeing Registrar, I have witnessed firsthand how establishing a third space can significantly enhance mental health and job satisfaction among doctors in training.
Some doctors find solace in creative hobbies such as music, writing or gardening, activities that often mirror the problem-solving and critical thinking skills used in medicine. The rise of social media has fostered potential misconceptions about self-care, sometimes portraying the illusion that our hobbies should contribute to personal and community growth, or even be monetised. However, your third space does not need to be objectively ‘productive’ or a source of pride – it should simply provide an avenue to decompress and unwind from our challenging roles. Reading, walking, or having coffee with a friend qualify as fantastic examples of a third space. Such simple engagements seldom require much time; a range of brief but enjoyable activities may cumulatively be an effective self-care approach. Self-care looks different for everyone and not everyone will have an overt hobby!
Ultimately, staying well in medicine necessitates adequate and effective breaks. Finding a third space is about providing essential separation from our role as doctors so we can be our best selves at work, improving both our professional efficacy and fulfilment. By implementing these self-care practices effectively, we not only enhance our own lives but also model a path to wellbeing for our colleagues and patients.
by Dr Emma Hodge, Committee of Doctors in Training Wellbeing Lead