Our Dr. Briscoe reflects on his recent honor of receiving The John F. O’Brien, MD Teacher of the Year designation from Orlando Health.
The truth is - this job is tough. Sometimes I’m exhausted from a busy day, leading into an overnight shift, and can’t find the time to complete charts; yet somehow, I always feel this desire and need to teach – at least something. Teaching is often what keeps me fresh and motivated. I’m surrounded by incredibly intelligent individuals that quite frankly enlighten me every single shift I work, so I strive to remain innovative in my teaching style.
The most valuable teaching in emergency medicine is imparted on the job; it often happens with a conversation about a disease process and the ‘what ifs’ of a case. Teaching happens with a discussion about a medication side effect or the potential complications of a procedure and how to manage it. Learning opportunities away from the bedside are equally important. To successfully navigate medicine, residents must have an integrated understanding of healthcare that includes insights into the business and technology that directly impacts how they deliver care.
It’s imperative residents understand how the EHR and the growth of health data affects our practice and workflows, and how smart solutions can reduce readmissions and ensure our patients have adequate follow-up. Young emergency medicine physicians and students need to be versed in how the practice is evolving into a more innovative specialty propelled by innovations like telehealth that can virtually triage patients to the appropriate level of care and help with patient flow in a crowded waiting room. Ultimately, they should have a foundational understanding of how quality care has evolved from a clinical and technological perspective so they can play a role in its continued evolution.
Amidst a busy day, sharing my knowledge and experience with the next generation of physicians is what keeps me invigorated. It’s what keeps me hungry and passionate about innovation and the transformation of healthcare – and why being recognized by the residents I teach is especially sweet.