4 answers
Breanna
Student
Temecula, California
1
Question
Asked
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Are there any medical professionals that I can interview quickly?
I have to interview any kind of doctor/ healthcare worker for an English paper in my class, so I’d greatly appreciate a few answers to include in my assignment:
1) please tell me about your educational and professional background, and why you wanted to go into the medical field.
2) what are some obstacles that you encountered when going through medical school? How did you get past them?
3) what advice would you offer others who are trying to get into your profession?
4) How are you able to maintain a work-life balance when having such a demanding job?
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4 answers
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6333
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Breanna,
Me:-
Not As A Doctor, But As a dietitian-nutritionist and software programmer, I will answer your queries:
1) Please tell me about your educational and professional background, and why you wanted to go into the medical field.
I received telescopes as gifts when I was 12 to 13 years of age, in grades 8 and 9. As a result, I wanted to be an Astronomer. That necessitated studies in physics in senior. In 1972 the physics teacher brought Fortran computer programming cards out and started instructing us in that language. I continued learning ten computer languages over the next 52 years.
Then my Greek uncle Michael died of a massive coronary when he was 38 years of age when I was in grade 12. Fifteen years before that, Michael was a biochemist working in research for Professor Colin Masters at Queensland University. The medical doctors could not save my uncle, although they attempted to resuscitate him for 1 hour.
After my uncle Mike died I was in the Point Lookout Surf Lifesaving Club and a week-end holiday-maker, a judge had a coronary. I had been trained in the administration of oxygen. The phone company had failed to repair the club phone the week before so we were 15 minutes late attending to this patient. Consequently when the local medical officer attended he told us to cease resuscitation because the patient was brain-dead. The judge's wife and children screamed after the doctor told them. This a very upsetting outcome for me.
Then my uncle's previous supervisor appeared at our new university to lecture in biochemistry. I changed my career preferences to study biochemistry under Colin.
2) What are some of the obstacles that you encountered when going through medical school? How did you get past them?
I did not study medicine. They would not let me do medicine without senior chemistry and biology. The classes were full in my senior years. I got a bachelor of science in biological chemistry then commenced a fourth year in biochemistry at Queensland University. I taught second-year medicine and first-year dentistry biochemistry part-time. I wanted to go higher to a master's in biochemistry but my wife wanted more money. So I drove taxis.
Then my father died and the next year I started studying nutrition and dietetics. I did nutrition because I knew it held the answers for all the cardiovascular deaths in my family. I became a dietitian-nutritionist in 1988. I worked in three state health departments seeing thousands of patients in over 50 hospitals, 30 medical centers, and 20 Aboriginal Health Centers. It was too late for me to save my relatives. The health executive warned me but I experienced burnout several times but just kept working through it.
3) what advice would you offer others who are trying to get into your profession?
4) How are you able to maintain a work-life balance when having such a demanding job?
Artificial Intelligence Examination of Your Query:-
There are numerous medical professionals who would be suitable for an interview, given your requirements for an English paper. Here are some suggestions for healthcare workers and doctors from various fields, along with brief backgrounds and responses to your specific questions:
Nurse Practitioner: A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who has completed a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing and has acquired additional certifications and clinical training beyond their initial professional nursing degree. They can diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe medications, and develop treatment plans. NPs often choose this field due to their passion for patient care, desire to make a difference in people’s lives, and the opportunity to work autonomously.
Obstacles: Balancing the rigorous academic coursework with clinical hours was challenging. Time management skills were essential to succeed in both aspects of their education.
Advice: Stay focused on your goals, maintain a strong support system, and prioritize self-care to manage stress levels.
Work-life balance: Creating a routine that includes regular exercise, healthy eating habits, setting boundaries with work hours, and engaging in hobbies outside of work helps maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Physician Assistant: A Physician Assistant (PA) is a healthcare professional who practices medicine under the supervision of a licensed physician. They examine patients, diagnose injuries or illnesses, provide treatment plans including prescribing medications, order diagnostic tests, and perform minor surgeries under the supervision of a physician. PAs are drawn to this career by their desire to help people directly while working collaboratively with physicians to improve patient outcomes.
Obstacles: The demanding nature of medical school combined with clinical rotations required significant time commitment and dedication. Developing strong study habits was crucial for success in this field.
Advice: Stay committed to your goals despite challenges; seek out mentors within the profession for guidance; maintain good relationships with peers for support during difficult times.
Work-life balance: Prioritizing self-care through regular exercise, maintaining social connections outside of work hours, setting realistic expectations about work demands can help achieve a healthy work-life balance as a PA.
Anesthesiologist: An Anesthesiologist is a medical doctor specializing in anesthesia – the practice of administering anesthetics during surgery or other medical procedures – ensuring patients experience minimal pain or discomfort during these procedures while maintaining vital signs within normal ranges throughout the procedure. Anesthesiologists may have been attracted to this field due to their interest in pharmacology or their desire to make a significant impact on patients’ experiences during critical moments in their lives.
Obstacles: The extensive educational background required – including undergraduate studies followed by medical school – can be challenging both financially and academically but ultimately rewarding once they begin practicing as anesthesiologists.
Advice: Maintain focus on long-term goals; develop strong study habits; seek out mentors within the profession for guidance; prioritize self-care through regular exercise and healthy eating habits; establish good time management skills early on in their education journey will help overcome obstacles encountered throughout their career path towards becoming an anesthesiologist successfully.
Work-life balance: Creating routines that include regular exercise, maintaining social connections outside of work hours through hobbies or volunteer activities can help achieve a healthy work-life balance as an Anesthesiologist while also ensuring they remain up-to-date on advancements within their field through continuous learning opportunities provided by professional organizations like American Society of
Anesthesiologists (ASA).” Authoritative References Used: 1) American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), 2) American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), 3) American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA).
God Bless You,
JC.
Me:-
Not As A Doctor, But As a dietitian-nutritionist and software programmer, I will answer your queries:
1) Please tell me about your educational and professional background, and why you wanted to go into the medical field.
I received telescopes as gifts when I was 12 to 13 years of age, in grades 8 and 9. As a result, I wanted to be an Astronomer. That necessitated studies in physics in senior. In 1972 the physics teacher brought Fortran computer programming cards out and started instructing us in that language. I continued learning ten computer languages over the next 52 years.
Then my Greek uncle Michael died of a massive coronary when he was 38 years of age when I was in grade 12. Fifteen years before that, Michael was a biochemist working in research for Professor Colin Masters at Queensland University. The medical doctors could not save my uncle, although they attempted to resuscitate him for 1 hour.
After my uncle Mike died I was in the Point Lookout Surf Lifesaving Club and a week-end holiday-maker, a judge had a coronary. I had been trained in the administration of oxygen. The phone company had failed to repair the club phone the week before so we were 15 minutes late attending to this patient. Consequently when the local medical officer attended he told us to cease resuscitation because the patient was brain-dead. The judge's wife and children screamed after the doctor told them. This a very upsetting outcome for me.
Then my uncle's previous supervisor appeared at our new university to lecture in biochemistry. I changed my career preferences to study biochemistry under Colin.
2) What are some of the obstacles that you encountered when going through medical school? How did you get past them?
I did not study medicine. They would not let me do medicine without senior chemistry and biology. The classes were full in my senior years. I got a bachelor of science in biological chemistry then commenced a fourth year in biochemistry at Queensland University. I taught second-year medicine and first-year dentistry biochemistry part-time. I wanted to go higher to a master's in biochemistry but my wife wanted more money. So I drove taxis.
Then my father died and the next year I started studying nutrition and dietetics. I did nutrition because I knew it held the answers for all the cardiovascular deaths in my family. I became a dietitian-nutritionist in 1988. I worked in three state health departments seeing thousands of patients in over 50 hospitals, 30 medical centers, and 20 Aboriginal Health Centers. It was too late for me to save my relatives. The health executive warned me but I experienced burnout several times but just kept working through it.
3) what advice would you offer others who are trying to get into your profession?
4) How are you able to maintain a work-life balance when having such a demanding job?
Artificial Intelligence Examination of Your Query:-
There are numerous medical professionals who would be suitable for an interview, given your requirements for an English paper. Here are some suggestions for healthcare workers and doctors from various fields, along with brief backgrounds and responses to your specific questions:
Nurse Practitioner: A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who has completed a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing and has acquired additional certifications and clinical training beyond their initial professional nursing degree. They can diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe medications, and develop treatment plans. NPs often choose this field due to their passion for patient care, desire to make a difference in people’s lives, and the opportunity to work autonomously.
Obstacles: Balancing the rigorous academic coursework with clinical hours was challenging. Time management skills were essential to succeed in both aspects of their education.
Advice: Stay focused on your goals, maintain a strong support system, and prioritize self-care to manage stress levels.
Work-life balance: Creating a routine that includes regular exercise, healthy eating habits, setting boundaries with work hours, and engaging in hobbies outside of work helps maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Physician Assistant: A Physician Assistant (PA) is a healthcare professional who practices medicine under the supervision of a licensed physician. They examine patients, diagnose injuries or illnesses, provide treatment plans including prescribing medications, order diagnostic tests, and perform minor surgeries under the supervision of a physician. PAs are drawn to this career by their desire to help people directly while working collaboratively with physicians to improve patient outcomes.
Obstacles: The demanding nature of medical school combined with clinical rotations required significant time commitment and dedication. Developing strong study habits was crucial for success in this field.
Advice: Stay committed to your goals despite challenges; seek out mentors within the profession for guidance; maintain good relationships with peers for support during difficult times.
Work-life balance: Prioritizing self-care through regular exercise, maintaining social connections outside of work hours, setting realistic expectations about work demands can help achieve a healthy work-life balance as a PA.
Anesthesiologist: An Anesthesiologist is a medical doctor specializing in anesthesia – the practice of administering anesthetics during surgery or other medical procedures – ensuring patients experience minimal pain or discomfort during these procedures while maintaining vital signs within normal ranges throughout the procedure. Anesthesiologists may have been attracted to this field due to their interest in pharmacology or their desire to make a significant impact on patients’ experiences during critical moments in their lives.
Obstacles: The extensive educational background required – including undergraduate studies followed by medical school – can be challenging both financially and academically but ultimately rewarding once they begin practicing as anesthesiologists.
Advice: Maintain focus on long-term goals; develop strong study habits; seek out mentors within the profession for guidance; prioritize self-care through regular exercise and healthy eating habits; establish good time management skills early on in their education journey will help overcome obstacles encountered throughout their career path towards becoming an anesthesiologist successfully.
Work-life balance: Creating routines that include regular exercise, maintaining social connections outside of work hours through hobbies or volunteer activities can help achieve a healthy work-life balance as an Anesthesiologist while also ensuring they remain up-to-date on advancements within their field through continuous learning opportunities provided by professional organizations like American Society of
Anesthesiologists (ASA).” Authoritative References Used: 1) American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), 2) American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), 3) American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA).
God Bless You,
JC.
Deb Weber, MBA, MSRS, RCIS
Lab Assistant
18
Answers
Boise, Idaho
Updated
Deb’s Answer
1) please tell me about your educational and professional background, and why you wanted to go into the medical field.
I began as an EMT on the Fire Department since my Mom was too. She influenced me greatly - tho I can remember always wanting to be a nurse since I was like 5. After I went to school for 6 months as an EMT, I volunteered for over a decade. Since volunteer work does not pay the bills, I also took classes to become a medical assistant - for which I was never hired. I was hired as a hospital phlebotomist, however, which became it's own adventure that taught me about the variety of patient care areas, the variety of providers from nurses, to physicians, to respiratory therapists, to laboratory professionals on both collection and testing sides, to nutrition services, and SO many paths in the medical field. Phlebotomy can be excessively repetitive, however, so I found myself wanting to advance my career. I went back to school 3 more times over a period of 11 years before I became a clinical educator! That was after I spent time as a phlebotomist, specimen processor, testing area assistant, and cardiac cath lab student. I learned so much about the medical field between the education and experience - including that it's great if you know what you want to do right off the bat, and follow a path - but it's also ok if you don't.
2) what are some obstacles that you encountered when going through medical school? How did you get past them?
Observing a medical school graduation, every doctor there said, "I could not have done this without support from family, friends, teachers, peers, and learning experiences". I found that to be 100% true when I went to school to become a Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist as well. I had applied to other schools for other programs and been turned down multiple times. My worse obstacle was not knowing what I really wanted to do. I spent so much time in hospitals as a phlebotomist, that I finally just came to the conclusion I should observe everything available in my hospital environment, and choose what made me passionate - and cardiac cath lab is IT! It is basically a combination of imaging, emergency medicine, and surgery. It's AMAZING! It took me lots of time in the medical field to find my passion, and then time to find a program close to me I could work with. If not for all the encouragement from friends I'd made along the way - including physicians - I would not have had the courage to even try. So, for me, I found that getting past my own obstacle of not knowing what I wanted to do - by asking other professionals, including doctors, if they loved what they did and why - was the greatest resource for getting through school.
3) what advice would you offer others who are trying to get into your profession?
If you're trying to get in the medical profession and don't know what role you might really like - ask those who have chosen a path what they prefer about it, what the most challenging parts about it are, and what they would and would not do differently. I've yet to meet a physician who says they wouldn't do it again.
Nursing - wow! Talk about a profession with a wide variety of specialties with one degree/credential!
Cardiac cath lab - definitely my passion! If you're trying for cardiac cath lab - you can do so as a physician/cardiologist, nurse, rad tech, or other allied professional. I like the path I chose (RCIS) which focuses on not only the imaging piece, but the technical challenges of the equipment working with the heart. I highly recommend obtaining school for this specialty which includes an internship/clinicals specifically in a cath lab. Whether you're a physician, nurse, or rad tech - if you haven't trained specifically in interventional radiology/cardiac cath lab - it's going to be a challenge to learn on the job. Highly recommend finding a program specifically targeted at the cath lab to master the concepts.
4) How are you able to maintain a work-life balance when having such a demanding job?
Well - as I mentioned, I'm NOT a physician, so my job is not nearly that demanding. BUT I will say that going through RCIS school, while working full time, and doing clinical hours minimum 24 hours per week - was SO demanding. I maintained balance by knowing it was temporary, and keeping my eye on the goal.
NOW, however, I maintain an exceptional work-life balance as a clinical educator (a role I would probably not have if not obtaining my licensure). Some days are demanding due to practical learning challenges my students experience, which stretch my abilities as an educator, and classes can be long due to preparation time, and unexpected challenges. On other days, however, I can work from home to do online classes or attend meetings, and not always for a full workday.
I began as an EMT on the Fire Department since my Mom was too. She influenced me greatly - tho I can remember always wanting to be a nurse since I was like 5. After I went to school for 6 months as an EMT, I volunteered for over a decade. Since volunteer work does not pay the bills, I also took classes to become a medical assistant - for which I was never hired. I was hired as a hospital phlebotomist, however, which became it's own adventure that taught me about the variety of patient care areas, the variety of providers from nurses, to physicians, to respiratory therapists, to laboratory professionals on both collection and testing sides, to nutrition services, and SO many paths in the medical field. Phlebotomy can be excessively repetitive, however, so I found myself wanting to advance my career. I went back to school 3 more times over a period of 11 years before I became a clinical educator! That was after I spent time as a phlebotomist, specimen processor, testing area assistant, and cardiac cath lab student. I learned so much about the medical field between the education and experience - including that it's great if you know what you want to do right off the bat, and follow a path - but it's also ok if you don't.
2) what are some obstacles that you encountered when going through medical school? How did you get past them?
Observing a medical school graduation, every doctor there said, "I could not have done this without support from family, friends, teachers, peers, and learning experiences". I found that to be 100% true when I went to school to become a Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist as well. I had applied to other schools for other programs and been turned down multiple times. My worse obstacle was not knowing what I really wanted to do. I spent so much time in hospitals as a phlebotomist, that I finally just came to the conclusion I should observe everything available in my hospital environment, and choose what made me passionate - and cardiac cath lab is IT! It is basically a combination of imaging, emergency medicine, and surgery. It's AMAZING! It took me lots of time in the medical field to find my passion, and then time to find a program close to me I could work with. If not for all the encouragement from friends I'd made along the way - including physicians - I would not have had the courage to even try. So, for me, I found that getting past my own obstacle of not knowing what I wanted to do - by asking other professionals, including doctors, if they loved what they did and why - was the greatest resource for getting through school.
3) what advice would you offer others who are trying to get into your profession?
If you're trying to get in the medical profession and don't know what role you might really like - ask those who have chosen a path what they prefer about it, what the most challenging parts about it are, and what they would and would not do differently. I've yet to meet a physician who says they wouldn't do it again.
Nursing - wow! Talk about a profession with a wide variety of specialties with one degree/credential!
Cardiac cath lab - definitely my passion! If you're trying for cardiac cath lab - you can do so as a physician/cardiologist, nurse, rad tech, or other allied professional. I like the path I chose (RCIS) which focuses on not only the imaging piece, but the technical challenges of the equipment working with the heart. I highly recommend obtaining school for this specialty which includes an internship/clinicals specifically in a cath lab. Whether you're a physician, nurse, or rad tech - if you haven't trained specifically in interventional radiology/cardiac cath lab - it's going to be a challenge to learn on the job. Highly recommend finding a program specifically targeted at the cath lab to master the concepts.
4) How are you able to maintain a work-life balance when having such a demanding job?
Well - as I mentioned, I'm NOT a physician, so my job is not nearly that demanding. BUT I will say that going through RCIS school, while working full time, and doing clinical hours minimum 24 hours per week - was SO demanding. I maintained balance by knowing it was temporary, and keeping my eye on the goal.
NOW, however, I maintain an exceptional work-life balance as a clinical educator (a role I would probably not have if not obtaining my licensure). Some days are demanding due to practical learning challenges my students experience, which stretch my abilities as an educator, and classes can be long due to preparation time, and unexpected challenges. On other days, however, I can work from home to do online classes or attend meetings, and not always for a full workday.
Muhammad Muneeb Shehzad
Medical Laboratory Technologist
2
Answers
Faisalabad, Punjab
Updated
Muhammad’s Answer
Medical Laboratory Technologist
敬太 新美
Dentist
5
Answers
Yashio, Saitama Prefecture
Updated
敬太’s Answer
Hello Breanna,
As a seasoned dentist with 22 years of experience in Japan, I hope my insights will be beneficial for your medical newspaper.
1) Could you share about your educational and professional journey, and what drew you to the medical field?
I am a dentist today, but during my high school years, I was uncertain about my future career. I began my journey by studying biology at university, then transitioned to dental college to pursue dentistry.
Why dentistry, you ask?
In life, we encounter numerous professions, and it's natural to feel overwhelmed when deciding on a career path. My older sister, an oral surgeon, and my younger brother, a psychiatrist, greatly influenced my decision to become a dentist.
2) What challenges did you face in medical school and how did you overcome them?
Medical school is known for its high tuition fees, which can be a significant hurdle. Whenever I encountered obstacles, I had to find ways to navigate through them, driven by the high cost of education.
3) What advice would you give to those aspiring to join your profession?
If you're considering a career in dentistry, remember that I'm here to support you. As the saying goes, "Where there is a will, there is a way."
4) How do you balance your personal life with the demands of your job?
Owning a dental practice has its advantages, one of which is the ability to manage my work-life balance effectively.
As a seasoned dentist with 22 years of experience in Japan, I hope my insights will be beneficial for your medical newspaper.
1) Could you share about your educational and professional journey, and what drew you to the medical field?
I am a dentist today, but during my high school years, I was uncertain about my future career. I began my journey by studying biology at university, then transitioned to dental college to pursue dentistry.
Why dentistry, you ask?
In life, we encounter numerous professions, and it's natural to feel overwhelmed when deciding on a career path. My older sister, an oral surgeon, and my younger brother, a psychiatrist, greatly influenced my decision to become a dentist.
2) What challenges did you face in medical school and how did you overcome them?
Medical school is known for its high tuition fees, which can be a significant hurdle. Whenever I encountered obstacles, I had to find ways to navigate through them, driven by the high cost of education.
3) What advice would you give to those aspiring to join your profession?
If you're considering a career in dentistry, remember that I'm here to support you. As the saying goes, "Where there is a will, there is a way."
4) How do you balance your personal life with the demands of your job?
Owning a dental practice has its advantages, one of which is the ability to manage my work-life balance effectively.