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ARTICLE FROM OUR GUEST EDITOR
MY DAY WITH DR. PAUSTIAN OR HOW
I SPENT 12 HOURS WITH A CARDIOLOGIST
I'm not sure exactly what I expected when Dr.
Paustian granted my request for a preceptorship. This is the term used in my field,
pharmaceuticals, to describe a learning experience where we spend a day observing a
physician practicing their specialty. In this case, I would be watching Dr. Paustian
in the heart cath lab. Since I hadn't been inside this hospital environment, I
really couldn't compare it to anything else in my realm of experience except for time
spent watching orthopedic surgeries (carpentry on the human body). Therefore, I was
particularly curious about entering the unknown with an interventional cardiologist.
I'd heard that cardiologists like Dr. Paustian work long, demanding hours and face life
and death issues on a daily basis - as some of their patients can have very serious heart
disease. You might be wondering why I chose Dr. Paustian to serve as my
mentor. Well, it is apparent when you meet him that he possesses extreme intellect
but beyond that, and what really impressed me, was his passion for his career. He is a
very accomplished and highly regarded cardiologist who chooses to live and practice in
Helena, Montana rather than garner the fame and riches accorded a big city
practitioner. I knew I was in for a most interesting day. From this
point forward I'll do my best to describe what I saw and heard during my preceptorship.
The day started at 6:45 a.m. at the hospital cath lab. By that time Dr. Paustian had
already risen (4:45 a.m.) and run his customary 3-5 miles. In addition, he had
prepared for the workday by rereading patient files, reviewing treatment plans, and
looking at x-rays. It is readily apparent that he possesses enough energy and drive
for two normal human beings and was completely ready to begin interventions. He is
assisted during cath lab procedures by six staff persons each of whom carries out an
important role. I was struck by their teamwork and how coordinated they must be to
insure timely and efficient movement from each step to the next. Dr. Paustian is
like the quarterback who leads the team and is responsible for each decision along the
way. He takes special care to inform the patient as to what is
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happening during the entire procedure and asks
them routinely how they are doing so that they feel as comfortable as possible (in what
must be a frightening set of circumstances). Dr. Paustian demonstrates a sincere
compassion for his patients and will do whatever he can to help relax the patient or
provide pain relief. By the way, only one patient out of nine that I observed this
day required additional pain relief and that was administered immediately.
Besides his reassuring bedside manner, patient's can take further reassurance in the fact
that his training was top notch. He studied under one of the three leading
interventional cardiologists in the world and uses a primary technique - learned from this
doctor - that less than 1% of all cardiologists are able to master. This enables him
to perform his procedures more quickly, safely, and inexpensively. Not bad for a doc
from Helena, Montana!
Over the course of the day Dr. Paustian shared his thoughts freely, as did his staff
members, so that I would fully understand how they contribute to a successful outcome and
to maximize my learning experience. His schedule, as well as his staff's, is quite
rigorous and it is not unusual for him to spend 14 hours a day in the hospital and clinic
(forget about lunch and breaks). As I said, he is blessed with enormous energy and
is devoted to his patient's health and well being. I learned so much about
cardiology and medicine during this brief exposure that I could easily write another 10
pages. That is the subject for another time though.
Before I sign off, however, I want to publicly thank Dr. Paustian and his terrific staff
for this great educational opportunity. His generosity, honesty, directness, and
willingness to answer my numerous questions, while at the same time conducting his
demanding surgical activities, is both humbling and remarkable. This was a day I
shall not soon forget and always treasure.
Ken Fournier
Territory Business Manager
Cardiovascular Division
Bristol-Myers Squibb
1-800-838-4443, Ext. 2729
IF YOU WOULD
LIKE TO BE ONE OF OUR "GUEST EDITORS" FOR ONE OF OUR FUTURE NEWSLETTERS, PLEASE
CONTACT US.
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