4 answers
cami
Student
Silver Spring, Maryland
1
Question
Asked
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What is a day like in the medical field ?
I am interested. in exploring this area and I'm wondering what its like in your case.
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4 answers
Hwal Lee
DMSc, PA-C
277
Answers
Albany, New York
Updated
Hwal’s Answer
Cami,
It looks like you may be interested in practicing medicine. I'm a family medicine PA, so let me share insights from my practice experience in an outpatient community health clinic.
My hours are 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday. I work with one nursing staff most of the time so this helps with consistency because we work well together. The nursing staff and I typically huddle to review the days schedule is patients either at the end of the day before, or early in the morning of, the schedule. This is not always possible for a number of reasons, and my schedule tends to change quite a bit throughout the day, so even when we don't get to huddle, it doesn't make much of a difference in what we do and how we do it.
There is a morning session until noon, then I resume patient care at around 1pm after lunch time, although, again, this often doesn't go as planned because the morning patient care runs over into my lunch time often enough and there are many variables that affect how my day goes.
I was a registered mental health counsellor in Australia, then CNA (certified nursing assistant) on the U.S. before studying medicine to become a PA, so let me know if you have any specific questions about these areas I can help with.
Good luck!
Hwal
It looks like you may be interested in practicing medicine. I'm a family medicine PA, so let me share insights from my practice experience in an outpatient community health clinic.
My hours are 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday. I work with one nursing staff most of the time so this helps with consistency because we work well together. The nursing staff and I typically huddle to review the days schedule is patients either at the end of the day before, or early in the morning of, the schedule. This is not always possible for a number of reasons, and my schedule tends to change quite a bit throughout the day, so even when we don't get to huddle, it doesn't make much of a difference in what we do and how we do it.
There is a morning session until noon, then I resume patient care at around 1pm after lunch time, although, again, this often doesn't go as planned because the morning patient care runs over into my lunch time often enough and there are many variables that affect how my day goes.
I was a registered mental health counsellor in Australia, then CNA (certified nursing assistant) on the U.S. before studying medicine to become a PA, so let me know if you have any specific questions about these areas I can help with.
Good luck!
Hwal
Abeeha Alvi
Healthcare provider/ Nutritionist/Dietitian
2
Answers
Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
Updated
Abeeha’s Answer
A day in the medical field can vary significantly depending on the specific role, setting, and specialty of the healthcare professional. Here's a general overview, but keep in mind that the experiences can differ widely:
Early Start:
Many healthcare professionals start their day early. This is especially true for those working in hospitals or clinics, where patient care is provided around the clock.
Morning Rounds:
Physicians, residents, and medical students often begin the day with rounds, during which they visit patients, discuss treatment plans, and assess progress. This is common in hospital settings.
Patient Care:
Nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants are involved in direct patient care. They administer medications, monitor vital signs, and provide support to patients and their families.
Surgeries and Procedures:
For surgical teams, the morning might involve preparing for and performing surgeries or other medical procedures. This includes the work of surgeons, anesthesiologists, surgical nurses, and other support staff.
Clinic Appointments:
Healthcare professionals in outpatient settings, such as general practitioners, specialists, and allied health professionals, often have scheduled appointments with patients throughout the day.
Emergency Department (ED) or Urgent Care:
Emergency room physicians, nurses, and other staff deal with a variety of urgent and emergent cases. This can include trauma, acute illnesses, and other critical conditions.
Administrative Tasks:
Healthcare providers spend time on administrative tasks, including updating patient records, reviewing test results, and communicating with other members of the healthcare team.
Consultations:
Specialists may have consultations with patients referred to them by primary care physicians. This involves reviewing medical histories, conducting examinations, and recommending further tests or treatments.
Education and Training:
Medical professionals often engage in ongoing education and training. This could include attending conferences, participating in rounds, or staying current on the latest medical research and advancements.
Collaboration and Communication:
Effective communication and collaboration are essential in the medical field. Healthcare professionals regularly consult with colleagues, discuss cases, and coordinate care plans.
Lunch and Short Breaks:
Like any profession, medical professionals need breaks. However, the intensity and nature of patient care may limit the length and frequency of breaks.
Afternoon and Evening Responsibilities:
The afternoon may involve continued patient care, additional surgeries or procedures, and addressing any urgent matters. Physicians may also have administrative tasks, such as writing reports or conducting research.
Handover and Shift Changes:
In settings with shift work, there is usually a handover between healthcare professionals at the end of one shift and the beginning of another. This ensures continuity of care.
On-Call Duties:
Some healthcare professionals, particularly those in emergency medicine or certain specialties, may have on-call duties, requiring them to be available after regular working hours for emergencies.
Reflection and Planning:
At the end of the day, healthcare professionals may take time to reflect on patient cases, plan for the next day, and address any outstanding tasks.
It's important to note that the schedule and responsibilities can vary widely based on the specific role, healthcare setting, and individual preferences.
Additionally, healthcare professionals often work in a collaborative environment, with effective communication and teamwork being essential for providing quality patient care.
Early Start:
Many healthcare professionals start their day early. This is especially true for those working in hospitals or clinics, where patient care is provided around the clock.
Morning Rounds:
Physicians, residents, and medical students often begin the day with rounds, during which they visit patients, discuss treatment plans, and assess progress. This is common in hospital settings.
Patient Care:
Nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants are involved in direct patient care. They administer medications, monitor vital signs, and provide support to patients and their families.
Surgeries and Procedures:
For surgical teams, the morning might involve preparing for and performing surgeries or other medical procedures. This includes the work of surgeons, anesthesiologists, surgical nurses, and other support staff.
Clinic Appointments:
Healthcare professionals in outpatient settings, such as general practitioners, specialists, and allied health professionals, often have scheduled appointments with patients throughout the day.
Emergency Department (ED) or Urgent Care:
Emergency room physicians, nurses, and other staff deal with a variety of urgent and emergent cases. This can include trauma, acute illnesses, and other critical conditions.
Administrative Tasks:
Healthcare providers spend time on administrative tasks, including updating patient records, reviewing test results, and communicating with other members of the healthcare team.
Consultations:
Specialists may have consultations with patients referred to them by primary care physicians. This involves reviewing medical histories, conducting examinations, and recommending further tests or treatments.
Education and Training:
Medical professionals often engage in ongoing education and training. This could include attending conferences, participating in rounds, or staying current on the latest medical research and advancements.
Collaboration and Communication:
Effective communication and collaboration are essential in the medical field. Healthcare professionals regularly consult with colleagues, discuss cases, and coordinate care plans.
Lunch and Short Breaks:
Like any profession, medical professionals need breaks. However, the intensity and nature of patient care may limit the length and frequency of breaks.
Afternoon and Evening Responsibilities:
The afternoon may involve continued patient care, additional surgeries or procedures, and addressing any urgent matters. Physicians may also have administrative tasks, such as writing reports or conducting research.
Handover and Shift Changes:
In settings with shift work, there is usually a handover between healthcare professionals at the end of one shift and the beginning of another. This ensures continuity of care.
On-Call Duties:
Some healthcare professionals, particularly those in emergency medicine or certain specialties, may have on-call duties, requiring them to be available after regular working hours for emergencies.
Reflection and Planning:
At the end of the day, healthcare professionals may take time to reflect on patient cases, plan for the next day, and address any outstanding tasks.
It's important to note that the schedule and responsibilities can vary widely based on the specific role, healthcare setting, and individual preferences.
Additionally, healthcare professionals often work in a collaborative environment, with effective communication and teamwork being essential for providing quality patient care.
Dilawar Hussain
Veterinarian
23
Answers
Tando Jam, Sindh
Updated
Dilawar’s Answer
On the human side, it's a blessing to serve humanity and save people's lives.
As a Vet, I feel very peaceful and joyful when speechless beings are being served and saved their life. Sometimes when there are animals come in pain after relieving their pain, you feel very calm and happy that can't spoken in words.
As a Vet, I feel very peaceful and joyful when speechless beings are being served and saved their life. Sometimes when there are animals come in pain after relieving their pain, you feel very calm and happy that can't spoken in words.
Aditi Kannan
Management Consulting
26
Answers
Jersey City, New Jersey
Updated
Aditi’s Answer
Hi Cami, can you clarify what kind of medical work you're interested in? Day in the life would be vastly different for a medical lab worker, a hospital admin person, a vet, a surgeon, a researcher in a university lab, a GP with their own clinic, a volunteer medical worker, etc. :)