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favorite herbal tea ). That unconventional perspective led me ultimately to explore emergency medicine and envision how we , as chiropractic physicians , are a natural fit in disaster response .
What do you like best about your professional calling ?
I am a hands on person . Although I incorporate some instruments and modalities into my practice , I enjoy the patient encounter and the personal contact . Besides the information I acquire by visual and tactile examination , I learn more about people and often what the real contributing factors are to their problems by what they say during that time . I had an elderly man burst into tears during an exam saying that he had not been touched by anyone in 20 years . Much of modern healthcare has removed the personal aspect , and thus the sensory experience , from both patient and physician . That physical contact is still a large component of chiropractic care .
What inspires you ?
It inspires me to see the incorporation of our profession into collaborative healthcare for the good of the patient . That collaboration may be through multidisciplinary practices , increased inter-professional referral , exchange of research and information between providers , or even respectful discussions with patients about their treatment options and the need for their own involvement in that care -- it is what healthcare is and should be .
What is your best advice for current students ?
• In the words of Dr . Janse , “ Support the organizations that support you . Join your state association and the ACA .”
• Take advantage of every learning opportunity available to you , even gaining certification in other disciplines if possible ; it will open doors .
• Experience different types of diagnostic assessment and treatments under varied conditions , because it will make you adaptable .
• Learn to evaluate research ; it will develop critical thinking and reinforce your decisions .
• Find your niche and become an expert ; it will give you clarity and focus .
• Listen to others , especially your patients ; it teaches the value of other people ’ s perspectives and the real reason for their problems .
• And her favorite : Be willing to empty the wastebaskets ; it demonstrates team spirit , allows the quiet acquisition of knowledge , and imparts the power of practical and necessary action .
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