- With Mayo Clinic oncologist
Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
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Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
Edward Creagan, M.D.
"The magic of the electronic village is transforming health information. The mouse and keyboard have extended the stethoscope to the 500 million people now online." — Dr. Edward Creagan
The power of the medium inspires Dr. Edward Creagan as he searches for ways to share Mayo Clinic's vast resources with the general public.
Dr. Creagan, a Newark, N.J., native, is board certified in internal medicine, medical oncology, and hospice medicine and palliative care. He has been with Mayo Clinic since 1973 and in 1999 was president of the staff of Mayo Clinic.
Dr. Creagan, a professor of medical oncology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, was honored in 1995 with the John and Roma Rouse Professor of Humanism in Medicine Award and in 1992 with the Distinguished Mayo Clinician Award, Mayo's highest recognition. He has been recognized with the American Cancer Society Professorship of Clinical Oncology.
He describes his areas of special interest as "wellness as a bio-psycho-social-spiritual-financial model" and fitness, mind-body connection, aging and burnout.
Dr. Creagan has been an associate medical editor with Mayo Clinic's health information websites and has edited publications and CD-ROMs and reviewed articles.
"We the team of (the website) provide reliable, easy-to-understand health and wellness information so that each of us can have productive, meaningful lives," he says.
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Stress blog
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Feb. 11, 2010
Check your checklist — Your needs belong on top
By Edward T. Creagan, M.D.
Most of us use a checklist to keep track of what we need to accomplish. Some are informal — maybe just a mental list of what we need from the grocery store. A checklist can also be more formal and in writing. Indeed, many professions mandate use of a checklist. For example, a pilot must run through a safety checklist before taking off and a surgeon must complete one before making an incision.
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On Sunday evening I sat down at my computer, as is my routine, to check my clinical responsibilities for the upcoming week, as well as to see what meetings, proposals and deadlines were coming up. On this particular evening, my heart sank as I thought about the difficult five or six days ahead, which would be full of clinical complexity, serious family issues, and a number of proposals and presentations.
Given my long to-do list, I was tempted to skip or cut short my usual morning workout and go to work early. However, a little voice reminded me that my health and well-being should be at the top of my list. When we neglect ourselves and become tired, irritable and overwhelmed, we can't be thoughtful, compassionate and engaged individuals.
In other words, we can't give what we don't have. A simple lesson but one most of us struggle with repeatedly. What do other list makers have to add?
4 comments posted
February 19, 2010 7:13 p.m.
Top on the to do list should be me time. I have taken off one day a week from my teaching schedule to get a massage, an ionic foot bath, and some hydrotherapy. This refreshes me and enables me to take on my responsibilities with renewed vigor.
- Barbara A
February 16, 2010 4:14 p.m.
The very time I need to put myself first and find time for exercise, relaxing or meditation is the time I find it hardest to do so. As the list mounts up I have to find time to relax and switch off. I find 15 minutes early morning before the rest of the house is up is the best time when all is quiet.
- No name given
February 15, 2010 1:35 p.m.
The benefits of making lists are numerous. For one thing, once you externalize a to-do list, it is no longer necessary to try to hold everything (or rearrange it) in working memory. Another upside is the ability to contextualize and prioritize. Not everything is as urgent and important as it may appear in the moment. Finally, I surmise that part of one's brain can automatically set about solving problems and addressing issues once they have been externalized and defined. One former secretary of state is quoted as having said: "Next week there can't be any crisis. My schedule is already full."
- Alan
February 12, 2010 5:54 p.m.
Remembering to put myself on the list is the hardest of all. It's always easier to move on to the needs of others and I continually have to remind myself to include my own needs.
- No name given
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4 comments posted