Pediatric Cardiology

HAS THE AVAILABILITY OF HEALTH-RELATED INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET HELPED OR HARMED THE WAY PATIENTS SEEK CARE? The source of the information is the most important factor to keep in mind. There is a lot of information available on the internet, but sometimes the information is inaccurate or incomplete and that can lead to a lot of unnecessary anxiety when it comes to complex medical conditions. STAYING HYDRATED IS OBVIOUSLY IMPORTANT FOR GOOD HEALTH. WITH SO MANY WATER CHOICES (MINERAL, SPRING, SPARKLING, FILTERED, ALKALINE, PURIFIED, TAP), ARE THERE ANY GUIDELINES YOU WOULD RECOMMEND? Any of the above mentioned choices are fine. I see many patients who have issues with dizziness/syncope and their symptoms can usually be improved with adequate hydration. Please stay well hydrated! WHAT WOULD BE THE #1 PIECE OF HEALTH ADVICE REGARDING YOUR AREA OF SPECIALTY THAT YOU’D GIVE PEOPLE IN THEIR 30S? I usually only see patients less than 18 years of age. I guess the main thing I would tell them is to make sure and take your young family members for routine health visits and make sure they exercise regularly. MOST MEMORABLE MEDICAL SITUATION? On an airplane. It was nothing serious, just minor head trauma and a laceration after some luggage fell onto a passenger. Always remember... “please use caution when opening overhead bins as your items may have shifted during flight.” YOUR THOUGHTS ON UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE

IN SIX WORDS OR LESS: Works well in a lot of countries. THE SOCALLED FAUCI EFFECT (MORE INTEREST IN HEALTHCARE CAREERS, SPURRED BY COVID-19) SAW AN 18 PERCENT INCREASE IN MEDICAL SCHOOL APPLICANTS IN 2021. WHAT WILL THIS MEAN FOR FUTURE PATIENTS? Hopefully it means that we will all have an easier time accessing healthcare. STUDYING MEDICINE THEN VS. NOW: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? There are so many differences. I think one of the major differences is that the cost of a medical education today is extremely high (even when accounting for inflation). IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME 25 YEARS AND GIVE YOURSELF ONE PIECE OF HEALTH ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Learn some stress relief techniques. Stress plays a major factor in many medical conditions. Trying to find ways to relieve stress are really important. There is more of a focus on this now, compared to 25 years ago. COMPLETE YOUR OWN ENDING TO THE OLD SAYING, “AN APPLE A DAY…” An apple a day costs more today than it did in 2019. WHAT’S THE MOST REALISTIC MEDICAL SHOW ON TELEVISION, PAST OR PRESENT? I don’t watch many of the newer medical shows. I really enjoyed the show “ER” back in the late 90s/early 2000s. I felt like many of the situations were realistic, but the solutions were not (like having the ER doctor perform neurosurgical procedures). ARTIST WHOSE MUSIC WE’D HEAR THE MOST IN YOUR WAITING ROOM: Phil Collins

ALSO IN THE TOP 3 FOR PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY: Anne Greene, Michelle Grenier

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