Dreamer

I'll always be a dreamer. Even though half of what we plan and dream of never happens or turns out the way we thought it would. I believe dreams are what push us to do better, to try harder, and that in and of itself is enough.

So...my big dreams. The way it would work if I didn't have to worry about money or making a living. I'll present to you in my view a rough sketch or outline of what I would envision in a medical practice for myself and my patients.

First, I must emphasize that I believe preventative medicine and primary care are extremely important. As a future physician, I believe I will find more joy in preventing a patient from getting diabetes, hypertension, or some other preventable ailment than treating the problem once it has happened. Granted this will not make me more money, but this is where I think my happiness will be found. If our health care system in general took this sort of approach it would save vasts amounts of money (but that's an entirely separate issue)

Back to my dreaming. In order to be a healthier person overall (which is my goal - to keep you healthy), you need to eat right, exercise, etc. You've all heard the lines from your doctor before or some new health claim about how such and such a food prevents cancer, etc. It's not easy to eat right or find the time to exercise. It's expensive and can be time consuming. In the end, it does pay off in terms of health benefits, feeling better, and having more energy. I'm victim to the same things as you. I often find myself not going to the gym during test week and once working out is out of the routine, it makes it doubly as hard to return - even knowing I will feel better for it. It's easy to say exercise and eat right. It's another thing to help a patient actually make attainable goals and find ways to truly change their lifestyle.

My job as a physician is not only to instruct you on how to live a healthier life, but to also - 1. have a healthy lifestyle myself and 2. facilitate you in that goal. In this dream office of mine - there would be cooking classes 2xs or once a month that teaches patients how to prepare healthier foods or recipes for those on special diets. Weekly outings to parks for walks or physical activities and an office staff that would help make this happen. I would not necessarily be present for all of these functions, but rather have other patients, nurses, etc - help make this happen. It would be a team effort in which all were working together. That patient doctor relationship is a team - we're both working for the same goal. The office would not necessarily be a place where you only go when you are sick, but rather a community that together supports and helps foster a healthy lifestyle. I would want to hear that you lost 15 pounds, via e-mail or a phone message when it happens rather than at an appointment 2 months later when the excitement has worn off or some of the weight regained. That's the part I look forward to the most is in sharing those moments of happiness (no matter how big or small) and I know part of it will also be in sharing in those times of sadness. It's this sharing and the personal touch plus the science that drew me to medicine.

There are more ideas that could be added, but you get the idea. Yes, it's a big dream and yes, it wouldn't pay. Heck, patients probably wouldn't even know what to do with such a place. The focus on preventative medicine and taking care of yourself before emphasized in the US.

I'm still young and idealistic. I know that. I'm ok with that. The moment I stop dreaming, the moment I stop trying, well that's the moment I given up.









Spring is here - a change is about to come.