The Becker’s Spine Review had “Seven spine surgeons talk about the best professional advice they have received during the course of their careers.”
“Sheeraz Qureshi, MD, Chief, Spinal Trauma, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City: The best professional advice I ever received was to have strict indications for when to operate and when not to operate, and to make sure patients fully understand the goals of their treatment plan… .”
“Neel Anand, MD, Clinical Professor of Surgery, Director, Spine Trauma, Cedars-Sinai Spine Center, Los Angeles: Be honest with your patients, and treat them like you would treat your best friend. Listen to them and above all else, do what is right for the patient.”
“Sanjay Khurana, MD, Orthopedic Spine Surgeon, DISC Sports & Spine Center, Marina del Rey, Calif.: The best advice I received was to use the best available clinical data and combine it with your personal training and judgment to make the most appropriate clinical choice for your patient.”
“Ali Araghi, DO, Orthopedic Spine Surgeon, The CORE Institute, Phoenix: Whenever I am trying to decide whether surgery is the best option for a patient or which type of surgery would best benefit the patient, I imagine the patient is an age and gender that matches a close relative and that helps me reach the best conclusion.”
“Michael Roh, MD, Co-Founder, Rockford (Ill.) Spine Center: A celebrated academic spine surgeon told me that in the first two years of practice, it is important make a concerted effort to perform surgeries that have at least a 90 percent chance of success and good outcomes.”
“Ara Deukmedjian, MD, CEO, Medical Director, Deuk Spine Institute, Melbourne, Fla.: ‘Don’t try to be everything to everyone’ — one of the hardest lessons for me to learn was that doctors cannot fix everything for everyone. There will be a time in every doctor’s career when we will have that very difficult situation of not being able to save a life.”
“Brian R. Gantwerker, MD, Neurosurgeon, The Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles: A very good plastic surgeon once told me at a wedding, ‘Put yourself where you want to be first. The patients will come to you if you are good.'”
Click here to read the full Becker’s Spine Review article “Advice to Young Surgeons: What 7 Spine Surgeons Have Never Forgotten” by Anuja Vaida.
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Doctor, Did You Wash Your Hands? ™ provides information to consumers on understanding, managing and navigating health care options.
Jonathan M. Metsch, Dr.P.H., is Clinical Professor, Preventive Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; and Adjunct Professor, Baruch College ( C.U.N.Y.), Rutgers School of Public Health, and Rutgers School of Public Affairs and Administration.
This blog shares general information about understanding and navigating the health care system. For specific medical advice about your own problems, issues and options talk to your personal physician.