Online Medical Classes

Are you a medical practicioner? Can you please answer a few questions?

I need a short interview from someone who works in the medical field. MD, DO, nurse, physician's assistant, or any other medical practioner with any specialty. This is for a Scientific Writing couse so the first six questions are the most important. Anything else you can tell me would be great. I need 10-15 questions answered for the assignment, so choose the questions you prefer to answer. If you only have time for the first six, that’s fine. 1) What kind of material did you have to read as a college student to get to where you are today? Anything besides textbooks? 2) What do you read now to keep you up to date with new medical practice? Medical journals? Online articles? 3) What kinds of reading do consider important for an undergraduate student interested in the medical field? 4) How long did it take to write your Masters Thesis or did you not need to write one? 5) If you wrote a Masters Thesis, what did you write about? 6) What did you publish, if anything, in undergraduate school? 7) What do you do to continue your education? 8) Did you have to go back to school to renew your license or for any reason? 9) How long did you spend in undergraduate school? 10) How long did it take to be fully certified? 11) What are rotations like? 12) How do you deal with sleep deprivation? 13) How does your job affect your home life? 14) Do you have time for hobbies at all? 15) Is it true that doctors need to know how to play golf? 16) Is there anything else it’s essential for a doctor to know that doesn’t seem obvious? 17) Are there any books you recommend for research purposes that seemed insightful about a medical issue? 18) Are there any books you’ve read, even for fun, that you can appreciate more because of your medical experience? 19) Are there any books you’ve read that give information about medical practitioners that struck you as being just plain wrong? 20) What is your name (or even an alias) that I can write down as the person I interviewed? Thank you for your time.

Public Comments

1. I am a physician assistant in surgical critical care and have been working for 1 year now, graduated in September 2007. 1. NY Times health/science section, there are always interesting articles on current health issues in addition to college texts. 2. I read the AAPA journal (JAAPA- the Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants) and Medscape which sends me emails with articles tailored to my specialty (critical care and surgery). 3. Read science topics that interest you and the texts required for your courses. The internet is a great resource for learning as long as you use accurate sources (medlineplus.gov is a great site for basic medical info). 4. I don't have a Master's degree (hope to go back to school one of these days to earn one). 5. see above 6. no publications 7. attend CME courses, read CME articles in journals, always ask questions to those with more experience (my attending physicians). 8. no 9. 2 years college to obtain prerequisites and 2 yrs PA school 10. I studied for the board exams for one month and then passed on the first attempt. 11. depends on the rotation, long hours, lots of learning, lots of saying " I don't know I'll get back to you" 12. Most people would say coffee but I am not a coffee drinker, you get used to it. 13. thankfully my hours are not bad and I don't take call or work weekends. 14. yes 15. Ha- I am not a doctor but I don't think so! 16. Knowledge is important however basic common sense and a good bedside manner and easy going personality will help you go far. Hope this is helpful, good luck!