Week 6: Understanding the Power of Unified Medicine
Misha P -
This week, I got to shadow three different physicians in different specialties: Dr. Josh Bell, a sports medicine doctor; Dr. Luis Perez, an urgent care physician; and once more, Dr. Rutstein, a podiatrist whom I have shadowed before. Each setting presented something new and further enlightened me on how each specialty addresses the same conditions, but in their own way.
With Dr. Perez in urgent care, one of the most routine things that we did regularly was injecting cortisone into joints such as the shoulder, hip, and the plantar fascia. The injections are a normal procedure to reduce swelling and ease pain. We also had a patient with compression of the spine from the buildup of body pressure, which was indicative of how fast urgent care has to adapt to complex cases.
In Dr. Bell’s sports medicine practice, we observed various forms of musculoskeletal issues, including ACL ruptures, herniated and displaced discs, and misaligned L1 and L3 vertebrates. A cortisone injection was again put to use in this case, too, illustrating further the usefulness in the treatment of athlete and active patient joint and soft tissue trauma. It was very fascinating to see how the sports medicine approach blends diagnostics, therapy, and prevention.
With Dr. Rutstein, I also observed more patients with ingrown toenails, a fractured toe, and other miscellaneous cases of foot injury. Watching her once again allowed me to appreciate the consistency of care and the subtle nuances of interaction with patients.
Most importantly, this week made me understand more intensely the distinction between horizontal and vertical care, the central focus of my thesis. I saw firsthand how having all the specialties and services under one roof—vertical care—encourages improved communication, improved patient outcomes, and simplicity of the process as a whole. Horizontal care, with the services scattered, can lead to inefficiencies or fractured treatment. Having the chance to view both in action was an invaluable learning experience.
Tune in next week as my journey continues!