If the worst thing you can say about your career is that it's not really
well known, chances are you lucked into the ideal career for you.
That's the case for Dr. Jennifer Yao. She's a physiatrist (a physical medicine
and rehabilitation doctor). She has a healthy outlook on her chosen field.
"In truth, there is really very little that I would consider a downside
in this career. The only difficulty that I have observed and experienced is
that because physiatry is not well known, many people (lay and medical) do
not fully understand our role.
"Physiatry is not a 'sexy' specialty and some do not even realize that
we are real medical doctors. It takes time and experience for the young physiatrist
to gain enough personal confidence and comfort in the field to develop his
or her identity as a physiatrist."
Dr. Timothy Doherty is also a physiatrist. He loves his chosen field too,
but admits the challenges can be difficult.
"We deal with a lot of people with pretty nasty, devastating illnesses.
Probably the biggest downside is you're constantly dealing with people who
have experienced often pretty serious illnesses and loss. And at times that
can be draining and overwhelming."
Physiatry may not roll off any tongues, or easily spring to a patient's
and traditional doctor's mind as a possible solution to a range of health
issues. But for those who find their way to a physiatrist, the rewards can
be great -- for both the patient and the physiatrist.
"You kind of step back and say this [injury or illness] has happened and
it's going to continue to happen. The goal is to say, 'let's look after that
problem to the best of your ability'. So even though there's a downside,
there's a challenge and reward eventually," says Doherty.
"You might initially see someone who's quadriplegic. And then over the
course of two or three months, you see them gradually recover, and you facilitate
them actually getting home. Maybe it's with a walker. Maybe it's with a cane.
Maybe they're still using a wheelchair.
"But it's rewarding to seem them rejoin their families; rejoin life. And
it's really rewarding knowing that you've taken part in helping them accomplish
that."
What type of person is drawn to such challenges? People like Yao. She
says she was drawn to physiatry for its human appeal and its varied pace.
"Ultimately, I enjoy working in the interdisciplinary setting that is found
in physiatry and I was attracted to the diversity of the field."
Doherty was attracted to the notion of going beyond only pinpointing a
patient's underlying problem. "I also have interest in, and find it rewarding
to look after a little more of the whole patient. By this I mean you not only
look after the initial problem but you also help facilitate the person returning
to work, or their return home to live with their families."
He cites the example of a 17-year-old car accident victim. "It's a spinal
cord-injured patient and you're dealing with not only the [physical] impairments
they have...but also the emotional and psychological burden. And a lot of
people who are physiatrists actually find it rewarding to look after all those
aspects of the patient.
"I think that's what draws a lot of us to the field. It's not a kind of
hurry-up-and-let's-get-this-problem-diagnosed area of medicine."
Generally, the relationship between patient and physiatrist doesn't end
when the patient is discharged from hospital or a rehabilitation program.
"We often look after people for long periods of time. So we develop relationships
with the patient that we hope will allow them to do as much as they can within
their families and communities as they can, given their underlying problem,"
says Doherty.
Patients may well be grateful and even in awe of their physiatrist's skills
and devotion. But the same could be said of the physiatrist's feelings for
their patients. Yao says the most gratifying part of her work
is "the privilege of getting to know her patients."
She admits she's "fascinated by the individual stories that accompany each
patient. And I look forward to the challenge of learning to work with the
patient's particular circumstances.
"I have always viewed medicine as a service industry. Many of my patients
have suffered great injuries and disabilities, yet they are able to find some
inner strength to continue on with life. It is a life-affirming experience
to be able to help them in that quest."
Dr. Paul Pannozzo of Peoria, Arizona echoes that sentiment. "The greatest
satisfaction is treating a pain for a person and giving them their life back.
It is extremely gratifying when a patient gives an honest 'thank you' for
what you have provided them."