What Does a Doctor Do?
Doctors are frontline healthcare workers significantly responsible for maintaining community health, diagnosing illnesses, and prescribing treatment to patients. Their roles and responsibilities, influenced by their specializations, demonstrate a blend of compassion and expertise in their field. Here, we will profile the coffee-to-bedtime routine of physicians, including a sneak peek into a day in the life of Dr. Richard Zoumalan.
The Greek etymology of ‘doctor’ translates to ‘teacher.’ If one understands this broad perspective, doctors, in addition to being practitioners of medicine, educate patients on different illnesses, preventive measures, and treatments. They work with individuals across all age groups, from newborns to the elderly, serving as custodians of health in society.
Typical Day of a Doctor
A doctor’s typical day begins before sunrise and is usually marked by painstaking precision at every step. Regardless of their specialization, doctors generally start their day by reviewing patient records and planning interventions accordingly. Morning rounds at hospitals, conducting physical examinations, cataloguing symptoms, and interpreting test results are crucial elements of these preliminary hours.
Doctors then discuss their findings with patients and their families. They provide information, clarify doubts, address concerns, and explain treatment plans — all with a reassuring warmth that often doubles up as an antidote to the general anxiety around medical environments. Given that a doctor’s consultation affects patients’ compliance with prescribed regimes, these exchanges are of paramount importance.
Role of Specialization
The day-to-day responsibilities of a doctor often depend on their area of specialization. For instance, surgeons’ schedules are clogged with pre-operative reviews, surgeries, and post-operative follow-ups. Anesthesiologists scrimmage through hospital corridors, ensuring that surgical processes are pain-free. Simultaneously, family physicians juggle between clinics and community roles. They examine patients, educate communities about health measures, and play a pivotal role in controlling infectious disease outbreaks.
The life of a dermatologist or a cosmetic surgeon like Dr. Richard Zoumalan revolves around improving patients’ appearances and attitudes towards their bodies. They meticulously work to reduce scars, resuscitate skin health, and often help patients reclaim their confidence.
Research and Continuous Learning
Doctors continually update themselves with the latest developments in the medical field. From the understanding of diseases to technological advancements, doctors equip themselves with knowledge that directly impacts patient well-being. They attend seminars, conduct research, publish scientific papers, and even fly across the globe to learn about medical breakthroughs.
Doctors also engage in teaching roles, molding the next generation of healthcare workers. They bring in their tangible experiences and theoretical knowledge to the classrooms, shaping the syllabi of medical schools around the world.
Wrapping the Day Up
Amidst this hurly-burly, doctors manage administrative tasks such as record-keeping, coordinating with other healthcare professionals, and even telemedicine consultations. They wrap up their day by revisiting complicated cases, planning the next day’s schedule, and resolving lingering patient concerns.
The role of a doctor transcends the bounds of clinics and hospitals. They are the pillars on which the well-being of society rests. A real-life example, Dr. Richard Zoumalan, stands testament to the commitment, dedication, and compassion that embody this vital profession.