When physicians fall ill-thoughts about changes in perspective

Advances in modern medicine can provide a considerable sense of achievement-especially in cancer medicine-and have contributed to a considerable increase in life expectancy. Many physicians enjoy their job, but physicians themselves often have problemswith their own care and health care. The "classic" role of physicians, who are supposed to guide their patients through a crisis in a confident, empathetic and competent manner, is massively disrupted by their own existential threat in the event of a serious illness. The three authors of this article describe the experience of a sudden change of perspective fromphysician to cancer patient and reflect on the loss of medical sovereignty, the insecurity of the treating colleagues, and the fundamental changes in professional and private perspectives. The experience of dealing with suffering and the mediation of consolation by "healthy" doctors as therapists evokes a new perspective on the previous, apparently so natural professional actions. The type of empathy, physicality, language and facial expressions have a major impact on the feeling of trust and acceptance of one's own need for help. Physicians as patients can-precisely through this lasting experience of the change of perspective-enable reflection on possibly outdated views of the role of medicine and dealing with one's own health or illness and raise awareness of the balancing act between professionalism and emotional support.