In an evolving field, physicians are faced with seemingly endless challenges, opportunities and decisions every day. Though the industry is constantly changing, there are some things that perhaps are best learned through experience.
Four orthopedic specialists recently joined Becker's to share the advice they would give their younger selves.
Editor's note: Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity. If you would like to contribute to our next question, please email Paige Haeffele at phaeffele@beckershealthcare.com.
Question: What advice would you give your younger self when you were first entering the field of medicine?
Bruce Gomberg, MD. Director of Maine Orthopaedic Review (Portland): The first piece of advice I'd give my younger self is to pick a field that you enjoy, because your career quickly becomes a large part of your life. In that vein, I would also advise a young surgeon to do what it takes to hone their craft. Some find an early mentor, which I did by sheer luck, and some seek further training. In any event, I recommend doing what it takes to get on top of your game early. Learn the ins and outs of the operations you do most and get the most experience as soon as you can. Be kind and thank the crew helping you on a daily basis, all focused on making your life easier and having better patient outcomes.
Another valuable piece of advice I would give my younger self is a piece of advice that was given to me by one of my teachers. When he heard I was going through training with young children, he told me that the most valuable thing I can do as an orthopedic surgeon is to go to as many of their Little League games as I could. I tried hard to follow that advice and be involved with my kids' lives, because they’re only your little kids for a brief and fleeting moment.
Another piece of advice I'd give my younger self is to be a genuinely good person. In general, as times get more stressful, careers take more effort and more demands are made on one's life, it's really important to leave a legacy that the world's a little better for being here. It's not always easy to do, but find ways to be kind.
I'd advise my younger self to be as financially proactive as possible, have a solid financial plan developed by a professional, and stick to it. Just as you expect people to come to you as an expert in the field, you should find a well-respected financial planner and follow their plan. Don't do it on your own.
Lastly, I'd advise my younger self to find the positives in my chosen career, because there are increasingly more difficulties in the field of medicine, most totally beyond anyone's control. It's worth remembering that we chose this career to help people, so focus on that. It'll facilitate making lemonade out of the lemons being tossed your way.
Robert McAlindon, MD. Orthopedist at East Alabama Health (Opelika): I was fortunate to have outstanding mentors both in my residency and fellowship. I got two pieces of advice that I carry to this day.
First, your reputation will be determined in the first six months of your practice. You are among the most highly skilled and trained professionals in the country. Make sure each of your cases are perfect and have the absolute best outcomes. You CAN do really big, complex cases, but you SHOULD do the procedures that you have the best handle on. Start easy, develop a reputation for having great results and let the intricate, tougher cases come later.
Second, get to know your patients. You will meet thousands and they are fascinating. Each has a story to tell. Be patient and listen. Be invested. They are, after all, putting their life in your hands.
Sean Rajaee, MD. Joint Replacement Surgeon and Co-Director of the Outpatient Hip and Knee Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (Los Angeles): Medicine and surgery is an art. Listen to your patients and customize treatment while incorporating all of your training and expertise. There is no one-size-fits-all mentality in orthopedic surgery. As young surgeons come into practice, there is a tendency to make protocols and algorithms for every clinical scenario. However, it doesn't always work like that. Sometimes you have to veer in a slightly different direction than the "textbook" answer to better care for the patient and as long as you're doing it for a good reason, you are doing the right thing.
Eric Warren, MD. Medical Director of the Atrium Health Musculoskeletal Institute Sports Medicine Network (Charlotte, N.C.): When I first came out of training, I really had no idea as to the complexity of the business side of medicine. In many ways medicine is a business like any other business. You have to be aware of the customer experience as well as revenue, expenses, timeliness of payments, etc. And that's all while providing compassionate, patient-centered, evidence-based care — what my training focused on. The other thing that took me years to learn, and that I wish the younger me knew sooner, is the importance of being mindful and fully present with the patient who is in front of me. It's so easy to be distracted by a hectic/overbooked schedule, patient calls that have yet to be answered, prior authorizations that the patient is waiting on me to find time for, or internal clinic dynamics with a staff that may be busy covering multiple provider needs. But all of that is outside of the walls of the exam room, and the patient in front of me needs and deserves my full focus.