Get up at 5:45 am, get to work by 7:30 am...

I try to keep people healthy, or restore their health if something is wrong. First step is always to define what is wrong- or what is going right. Sometimes this is easy, other times it's not obvious and takes a while. Second step is translation- it's my job to make something complex understandable. I try to evoke visual images- usually as you watch people's faces you can see the light of comprehension click on. Third step is to figure out what they can or will commit to- and figure out what the resistance is if they DON'T want to do something that would help them. Sometimes there are tough trade offs and I'd be hard pressed to say which alternative is best. Other times it's a no brainer, but (a usually under educated) zealot has created fear when the odds overwhelmingly favor benefit rather than harm. Other times it involves a life stye change that won't be so easy to achieve...(Like exercise is good - but time to exercise competes with all these other things we have to do everyday)...

At the end of the day I update records, then review results of lab tests, radiology reports, specialist reports, fill prescription refills, call people to explain their reports, track down reports I'm expecting, send reminders to folks when it's time to do check labs or see me again.  Search the literature for clues when the diagnosis is obscure - make a plan for the people seeing me the next day...review their charts to figure out what information might be needed to keep them well or sort out their concerns.  Some of this can be planned in advance - the rest depends on what is going on when they arrive.

Get home - (if early) by 7 pm- sometimes closer to 9 - eat, sleep, repeat...