On Duty 24/7

Healing often reaches its limit, and doctors then focus on relieving pain and supporting patients. But what happens when the physical and mental suffering becomes unbearable?

Doctors work long hours, at a tireless pace, under less-than-ideal conditions. When they feel the first signs of stress and fatigue, they become more vigilant and focused.

Resuscitating a deceased patient is the ultimate rescue. In the hospital, however, saving lives takes on many forms. It is also curing a mother's cancer so she can raise her child, or amputating a patient's leg to prevent death.

In medicine, doubt goes hand in hand with humility. Nothing is ever black and white, and practitioners learn to navigate the grey area on a daily basis.

Even though illness does not take a holiday, all hospitals operate at a slower pace during the summer. The on-duty staff work extra hard to compensate for the missing personnel.

Reassuring patients is a major part of the workload for doctors and nurses. Even when the news is not good, they make it their duty to be truthful, while remaining helpful and positive.