Practicing with Your Heart as an Independent Doc

On my first day in medical school, we all gathered to listen to the head of the school address the new class. I remember his comments to this day. "Welcome to the profession and practice of medicine. There is only one rule to learn - every human you treat, regardless of who they are, will bleed red and if treated to the best of your ability with compassion, will pay green. I trained long and hard during a time when the hours you worked were not regulated so you could work up to 36-48 hours if you were needed in a big city hospital. Later, I was in the service and again worked long hours when the situation required a physician.

Today, I run my office five-and-a-half days a week and make hospital rounds at the end of the day, on weekends, and holidays. It is my profession to practice medicine. I do hope to get paid for my services by the patients I treat.

When you are an employee I do not believe you develop the rapport with the people in your practice. If you get a better job offer, you can leave and it is easier to go if you are not attached to the people you treat. I appreciate the support my patients give the office and the staff. They have watched friends being treated by new physicians in other offices who come and go,so they value a physician who they know is there for them.

Some have worried that I might retire, but I assure them I will not leave unless physically I cannot come to the office.. The movie "Doc Hollywood" featured an older doctor who kept pictures of all the patients he delivered. I try to remember all the patients that passed over the years as still being part of the practice who had not been in for an office call recently. I think that is a big reason to be independent as you practice with your heart and are involved in the lives of the people you treat.

Daniel Hoffman is a family solo practitioner in Mount Vernon, Ill.

- See more at: http://www.physicianspractice.com/blog/difference-being-independent-doc#sthash.7fbOaaek.dpufDaniel Hoffman is a family solo practitioner in Mount Vernon, Ill. - See more at: http://www.physicianspractice.com/blog/difference-being-independent-doc#sthash.27JyxGlT.dpufDaniel Hoffman is a family solo practitioner in Mount Vernon, Ill. - See more at: http://www.physicianspractice.com/blog/difference-being-independent-doc#sthash.27JyxGlT.dpuf

Daniel Hoffman is a family solo practitioner in Mount Vernon, Ill.