Cancer doctor -I help diagnose and treat diseases related to blood and cancer in adults. Views are my own. Posts are not medical advice.
From the bustling corridors of a subspecialty hospital to the close-knit community of a local hospital, my journey as a physician has been nothing short of enlightening. I've been fortunate to have had the opportunity to manage complex cases and participate in research as a hospitalist in an academic setting. The wealth of resources, the availability of diverse procedures, and the intellectual camaraderie of colleagues have all enriched my experience and enabled me to make a significant impact on the field in my own little ways. Currently, as an oncologist in a community hospital, my role has shifted towards providing top-tier cancer care services to our local community. The focus is on individualized care - impacting not just patients, but their families and our community. It's a different kind of impact, but equally profound. There's so much that physicians in both settings can learn from each other. Academic physicians can benefit from the resourcefulness and patient-centric approach of community practitioners. Conversely, community physicians can gain from the research-oriented, multidisciplinary approach that characterizes academic medicine. Misconceptions abound on both sides, often leading to unnecessary competition. Instead, let's focus on the common good and the shared goal of patient wellbeing. Let's debunk myths, foster collaboration, and ensure that no patient is lost in the transition. So, I invite you to join this conversation. What are some action steps we can take to bridge the gap and foster better collaboration between academic and community physicians? Let's discuss and learn from each other's experiences.
