UROLOGY
Do you follow the recommendations you give to your patients?
Yes, for the most part. I try not to recommend treatments that I wouldn't do myself.
Absoutely. I exercise daily 45 minutes a day 6-7 days a week. I eat according to Canada's food guide. Potato chips, fries and ice cream 1-2 times a month. I don't smoke and I wear a helmet when I ride my bike.
Obviously yes. One cannot recommend what one does not believe in for oneself.
Was there an aspect of the residency program that was unexpected and required adaptation on your part?
Keep smiling despite the lack of sleep: call duty and evenings between residents is a lot!
I hadn't imagined how wide your back would have to be.
What do you think is the most difficult medical practice? The easiest ?
Difficult: telling a patient that there is no cure for his cancer; administrative burden. Easy: announce good news to the patient; see that our care has had a positive impact on his quality of life.
The answer to this question depends above all on the definition of an easy or difficult medical practice. If we define the level of difficulty by the workload during the calls, then an obstetrician would have more difficult calls than a dermatologist.
Practicing medicine is easy when the cases fit the textbook, but the hardest part is that they rarely fit perfectly.
What is your favorite alcoholic drink?
Red wine
I do not drink alcohol.
What personality traits are typical of your profession?
You have to have a lot of humor and keep in mind that despite everything, serious and well-done work is a source of joy!
Be meticulous, conscientious
During your medical studies, what did you do on a Friday evening?
Evenings between residents or sports to decompress from the working week. Sometimes Friday evening is also the start of the WE on duty, so we go to bed early.
I spent my Friday evenings with a friend (not in medicine) to disconnect.
What specialty would you never do? Why?
Vascular surgery because it always ends in amputation!
Pathology, I need the patient contact.
Would you be friends with your colleagues if you had met them outside of work?
Some, yes; others, no.
Some yes, some no
With some probably, but mutual trust in the work promotes ties.
What do you think is the most important factor for a successful residency in your specialty?
Residence: Hard work. Make the most of opportunities. Try as much as possible to keep a balance.
The most important factor is honesty.
For residency work for 5 years.
What do you think is the most important factor for a successful career in your specialty?
Career: love what you do. Minimize harmful aspects as much as possible. Don't try to control what you can't control.
Organized and honest.
For the career in urology always follow the (very rapid) evolution of the specialty
How many hours of work per week on average?
Never enough. We don't count in surgery. Between 50 to 70 depending on the guards and emergencies. Some may answer 40, it must be possible.
I don't count anymore. Too much. But I like my job.
What do you dislike most about your practice?
Surgery is still a profession that amazes people. The surgeon always has a lot of pride! Repairing the living is when it comes to the order of the extraordinary.
Service meetings at 7 a.m. (at least twice a month).
What are the difficulties, the least pleasant aspects that you encounter in your specialty?
In the end, quite a bit. Instead, we are fighting to improve the organization and access to care; but it is a political problem. There are always the famous guards who always come back little too often. And still more paperwork.
Surgical complications. They happen to everyone, but they are always very difficult to accept.
What is the best advice you have received?
Maximize your time: Do not waste time on things that you cannot change or influence.
To properly document and complete my patient files
Doubting and always questioning yourself. There is never just one truth.
What is the most common criticism you receive?
My impatience....
Requiring
I don't know because I'm perfect ;)
How would your colleagues describe you?
Working.
Intimidating by my size, my voice and my clinical knowledge. Surgically skilled.
Open to dialogue with residents and students.
If you had to specialize in something else, what would it be and why?
In medicine, good question. Hepatobiliary surgery?
Cardiology for hemodynamics
ENT because the two specialties are both medical, endoscopic and surgical. We are responsible for the patient from the beginning to the end of the treatment. (And then we can become dean :) )
Does your specialty take jokes well at work?
Yes, very well. You have to be open-minded to do urology.
Yes
Yes but be careful because this specialty happens below the belt :)
Do students/residents sometimes make you feel overwhelmed?
Not yet...
Yes and it is important in order to stimulate me to learn throughout my life.
Absolutely and it's stimulating because you always have to question yourself.
If your specialty had to have a romantic relationship with another which one would it choose?
General chx - we work together.
Nephrology
Nephrology because the love of the kidney unites us.
What car do you drive?
VLT Charger electric bike from Norco. Sometimes: Audi Q5 (used)
A Subaru crosstrek. My next one will be electric.
How do you plan your vacation?
In advance and on an adventure.
I tend to hoard them so I can have some available when my kids are sick.