These past few weeks have turned the entire world topsy turvy and called into question many beliefs that were previously taken for face value.
One of those fundamentals that has been shaken to its very core is the stability a physician has with his or her job or income.
Decades ago, my father — a physician himself — told me that no matter what, physicians will always be in demand and have …
The white coat won’t protect you from financial ruin
I can’t speak on behalf of all in my specialty, but I wager that there is a good percentage of radiologists out there who essentially work nonstop from the moment they walk in the door to the moment they leave, working through lunch hours, etc.
Throw in a mandatory meeting every now and then and “the list” of studies to be read can explode, and it can truly be demoralizing.
I have …
Combat burnout one bite at a time
In the service industry — which as physicians, we certainly are a part of — a popular saying is that the customer always comes first.
The implication is that in order to thrive in an industry, you have to cater to the customers/patients as it is they who will ultimately decide where they take their business.
In medical school, the emphasis on prioritizing the patient was evident, culminating in the Hippocratic Oath …
Does the patient come last in health care?
Your first is always special.
It is a mixture of youthful inexperience, awkwardness, anticipation, and giddiness that creates a cacophony of emotions and physical changes that is hard to describe unless you have experienced it yourself.
Your repertoire of techniques/maneuvers is quite sparse — to say the least.
You might fumble around and accidentally put the wrong thing in the wrong orifice.
Not knowing what body part should go where, if you are doing …
A reflection of a physician’s firsts
The internet truly is a wondrous invention.
It has evened the playing field with a wide swath of people now having access to information that used to be possessed in the hands of only the elite few not too long ago.
However, as with most things, there can be downsides associated with any tool of progress.
Yelp
Yelp is a powerful social tool that allows individuals to share experiences, good or bad, so that …
Physicians who don’t play the social media game may be left behind
One of the great teaching experiences in a young medical student or resident’s life is to be placed in front of his or her peers with an attending physician quizzing him or her on the spot about a particular patient.
Often, when radiology imaging is involved, the said victim will be asked to interpret the study and point out any salient features.
I have been subject to this numerous times in my …
How a radiology trick can surprisingly help your finances
I think one of the biggest frustrations I have as a doctor is being at the mercy of people who either have no medical training or are so detached from medicine that they have lost touch with those on the front line.
The American Board of Radiology (ABR) essentially governs over radiologists who typically need the important board-certified designation to find a place of employment.
I have always played by the rules …
MOC: When you play the game and they change the rules
It is a known fact, but every generation feels that they had it worst and that other generations have it made.
“When I went to school we had to walk uphill in the snow both ways!” says every grandparent
I identify myself with the Generation X physicians, finishing medical school in 1997 and my radiology residency and fellowship training in 2003.
During this time I have seen quite a change in the medical …
The generational differences of physicians
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