Q: What’s the one thing you most dislike about your job?
A: The time spent with the electronic health record. I am spending more time figuring out how to order a therapy, write a note, or sign an order than actually at the bedside interacting with the patient.
Q: What is your biggest professional challenge?
A: My lack of patience. I want to be in more leadership positions, be a respected physician at my hospital, and have a greater role in the community NOW. I have only worked at my larger hospital for about a year, and I know it takes time to get to know everyone, get to know the culture of the hospital, and work my way up the ranks.
Q: What is your biggest professional reward?
A: I love when I really connect with a patient or family and feel like I’ve made a difference. As a hospitalist, it sometimes feels like I am admitting patients with chronic medical problems that will never get better, get them just well enough to leave the hospital, but never really make a difference. When you can really connect, that is always a great reward. An example is an elderly patient I cared for recently. He was clearly dying, but the family was having a hard time accepting his course. I spent time with the family and helped them reconcile their hopes to keep him comfortable with their fears about killing the patriarch of the family. They eventually transitioned the patient to hospice care, and although he did pass away, I feel like I was able to make the patient’s death a little better for the family and for him.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: I always see myself working clinically for at least part of my time. Medicine would get too boring if it wasn’t for the patients. That said, I like a variety of activities and stay motivated when something new is on the horizon. I don’t know if a climb up the ladder is in my future, but if things work out that way, I would be open to the chance. Otherwise, I try and keep my eyes out for new challenges. If I try and plan my path out too much, I will miss those great, unexpected opportunities.
Q: What’s the best book you’ve read recently?
A: “Vegetable Literacy” by Deborah Madison. I love to cook and garden, and this book describes the different edible members of botanical families—and then gives recipes. The book motivates you to try new varieties in the garden and kitchen. The beautiful pictures didn’t hurt, either. Pictures always make a book better.
Q: How many Apple products do you interface with in a given week?
A: One, my iPhone. AppleTV never works right, so we stopped trying to use that months ago.
Richard Quinn is a freelance writer in New Jersey.