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We were both born in Iran to renowned physician fathers and were friends and classmates in elementary school until the Persian revolution hit in 1979. We both escaped Iran with our families, emigrated to Los Angeles, and have been friends ever since. Our experiences early in life provided us with the life lessons needed to find success, and we hope that by sharing our lessons, we can have an impact on the next generation. Below are some tips we wanted to share with the future generation of medical professionals and some additional best practices for those wanting to have a fruitful career in the medical field.
1. Loving your job has always been a prerequisite for a successful career. However, this trait has become increasingly important for a successful long-term future. Physicians are no longer guaranteed a comfortable living since many of them are employed by big organizations/hospitals, and salaried doctors will not be making as much money as prior generations. The love of the job will increase one's resilience to work with the ups and downs of the future physician.
2. Ensure that you follow the golden rule, as it's key to ensuring the success of your practice and will allow you to have an impact on the patients you treat.
3. Remember the three A's: availability, affability, and ability. We always talk with medical students about the keys to a successful career and the three A's required to achieve their goals. No one has all three at 100%, but these qualities are important to any successful career.
4. Value the power of relationships. It's key to remember that we are social creatures, and our relationships with the various individuals we encounter are vital to life's fulfillment. Relationships with staff and patients should be built on trust. Specifically, the patient-doctor relationship is built on tremendous trust and can lead to a wonderful relationship. This can't be taken for granted by either party. Furthermore, the gratitude a patient has for his/her doctor is the essence of a doctor's satisfaction, knowing they were able to help another human being in a time of increased need.
5. A successful career is a marathon and not a sprint. Take the time to learn to be the best in your career area. Keep up to date with the latest tech that can help you do your job better and value lifelong learning and training.
6. Balance is also key. Make time for family. We enjoy having dinner with our family; we make it a point to get home in time for dinner as much as possible, even with our busy schedules. Make time to follow your passions outside of work. For example, we both love exotic cars, so we try to learn more about them outside of work. By learning more about our passions, we have become more balanced and can be more present when working.
Sharyar Baradaran, DDS, is a periodontist. Arya Shamie, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon.
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