Skyler Clark Interview Project: Part 1 Communication 1010-074 02/11/2013

Background Information My Interviewee: I will be interviewing Dr. Warren L. Butterfield (warren.butterfield@imail.org), an orthopedic surgeon at Intermountain Health Care in Murray at 5169 South Cottonwood Street, Suite 430 Murray, Utah 84107 (801) 507-3475. We will conduct the interview on February 25th at 7:30 am, in his office at the above address, at his request. I chose to interview Dr. Butterfield as I have previously had questions about the medical profession I have discussed with him and would be very much interested to learn more as I myself am planning on applying to medical school, and would like to know what I can do to reach my highest potential possible in my careers both academic and vocational. Note: Many of the questions I will ask Dr. Butterfield are asked in the subjunctive. This means that many of my questions will technically be closed, but in actuality an explanation is customary. Such questions will be listed as (Secondary, Closed---Open) Also, there will be a few technical terms used in connection with the medical profession. In addition there were a few topics covered directly in the example interview that I have used in this essay, altered to fit the needs of the interview. Career Research: In high school I learned a little about medicine, particularly in my human biology and physiology class in my junior year. I greatly enjoyed learning about the human body and particularly about vision. I was excited to do my homework for this class, which was quite extensive, and began to research and set goals to one day become an ophthalmologist. As I will need training in medical school before specializing in ophthalmology, Dr. Butterfield will be very qualified to answer my questions pertaining to medical school and this interview will serve as an opportunity for personal guidance in my current educational and work choices. Orthopedics is an interesting subject to me, but at this point in time I also dont quite understand all that orthopedic surgeons are involved in, and the actual day-to-day activities of one such doctor. During the interview I intend to clear up some of my personal questions on the subject, and through that be able to decide if orthopedics is really something that could hold greater interest for me personal in my studies, and as a possible course to pursue. I believe that it will be highly beneficial to learn from someone with personal experience and expertise in the medical field, making it better possible for me to make important decisions in my current and future life. Ive discovered from occupational descriptions that there are various types of Orthopedic Surgeons and areas in which they can specialize. The many areas of specialty are all based upon certain areas of the body and the bones there. However, all orthopedic surgeons have general orthopedic knowledge. The types of surgeries that orthopedic surgeons perform can also vary. Some doctors deal primarily with bone or hip replacement, many deal with sport injuries, while others, such as Dr. Butterfield deal with trauma cases, in which patients are injured during various activities.

I am hoping to learn more specifically what the work day is like for Dr.Butterfield. I have read from job descriptions that orthopedic surgeons often work 55-60 hours per week all said and done. I am interested to know if this is the case, and how Dr.Butterfield feels about being away from his family so much during each week. I am also hoping to discover what he is able to do to make each day rewarding, and what advice he has for me, a prospective medical student. Orthopedic surgeons and specialists earn from $300-500,000 depending on location, and must be highly skilled at what they do as described in the Intermountain Medical mission statement: Excellence in the provision of healthcare services to communities in the Intermountain region. Each surgeon has to pass an intensive state board of review for the state in which they intend to work. Schooling after undergraduate involves first, the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test) then medical school for approximately 4 years, after which the student will do a 1 year internship, followed by 4 years of residency, rotating through all subspecialties before they will go into either private practice, or employment at a hospital or other healthcare facility. Another option is also available for those wishing to further specialize to do a 1 year fellowship with a practicing doctor of that specialty, after which the surgeon would then either go into private practice, or employment. Interview Schedule Opening: Dr. Butterfield, it is good to see you again! Thank you for taking the time to talk to me today, I greatly appreciate it. Youre field is very interesting to me personally. As I mentioned earlier, I would like to know more about your experiences in the medical field and maybe hear advice as to what I can do to better prepare for future medical schooling. This interview is an assignment for a communications class I am currently enrolled in at Salt Lake Community College, but I would like to use it as an opportunity to learn and gain highly valued advice about medical school and medicine generally. We can talk freely, and if it is ok with you, I will simply record the conversation for future use as I am writing my report on our interview today. I have prepared a few questions and topics that will guide our discussion, and will refer to this list often. If any question needs better clarification feel free to ask. The interview should only take about a half an hour. Are you ready to start? Body: Topic 1: Getting into the Medical Field To start, I would be very interested to learn how you decided to go into medicine and what you needed to do to get into the field. 1. Why did you choose a career as a surgeon? (Primary, Open) -Would you say that you are satisfied with your choice? (Secondary, Bipolar) -if positive: What makes your work so rewarding for you? (Secondary, Open) -if negative: What are some things that you would change if you could? (Secondary, Open) -Did you also consider other fields of medicine to go into? (Secondary, Closed) -Would you have chosen a different field if you did it over again? (Secondary, Bipolar) -if yes: What field and why? (Secondary, Open) -if no: That is great that you have such high job satisfaction! 2. What was the greatest learning experience you had in medical school? (Primary, Open) -How have these experiences influenced your practice now? (Secondary, Closed) - Do you feel that after having gone through that experience that you are a better doctor? (Secondary, Closed)

3. How well does your vocational life now, relate to the subject you learned and studied in medical school? (Primary, Open) -How do you use the skills learned in school currently? (Secondary, Closed) -Are there some subjects that are simply no longer applicable? 4. What would you advise to do in preparation for medical school? (Primary, Open) -Is there a certain grade point average requisite for medical school acceptance? (Secondary, Closed) If yes: What would that be? (Secondary, Open) -What is something that would really impress medical schools, or something that would make an applicant stand out? (Secondary, Closed) 5. Medical school sounds like it can often be very stressful. How did you deal with that? (Primary, Open) -If you dont mind me asking, did you also have a family at the time? (Secondary, Bipolar) -If he wants to answer ~v -if yes: How did you manage your time between your responsibilities? (Secondary, Closed) -Are there any techniques that made it easier? (Secondary, Closed---Open) -Were there times when you felt like giving up? (Secondary, Closed---Open) 6. After all that schooling, did you feel fully prepared to begin practicing as a surgeon? (Primary, Closed) -What is some advice you could give to help prepare for that? (Secondary, Open) 7. I saw that you did a fellowship after residency, why did you decide to do that? (Primary, Open) -Would you advise it to other doctors going into their fields? (Secondary, Closed) -Do you feel there would also be reasons to not do a fellowship? (Secondary, Closed---Open) Topic 2: Standard Practice Now that I know how more of how you got to where you are now, what is the vocational life like? 1. What do you typically do during the week? (Primary, Open) -What could you tell me more about clinical days? (Secondary, Closed--Open) -Could you give me brief description of an operation and the preparations and procedures involved? (Secondary, Closed--Open) 2. What is your favorite part of your profession? (Primary, Open) -What is your least favorite part? (Secondary, Open) 3. Can you tell me about your schedule? (Primary, Open) -How accommodating is your schedule for your family life? (Secondary, Open) -Are you allowed to choose your vacation days? (Secondary, ClosedOpen) 4. I asked you previously how medical schooling worked with your family life, could I ask what life is like now that you are in practice? (Primary, Bipolar) -If yes: - Are you usually able to do all the activities you want to with your children? (Secondary, ClosedOpen) -Are there times where your work schedule really conflicts with family time? (Secondary, Closed) -If no: Do you have any colleagues that have families? (Secondary, Closed) - Are they usually able to do all the activities they want to with their children? (Secondary, ClosedOpen) -Are there times where their work schedule really conflicts with their family time? (Secondary, Closed) Topic 3: Progression, and Staying Current

The next couple questions are about staying up to date as a professional. 1. Is continuing education required or recommended? (Primary, Closed) --Are there also meetings or seminars you need to regularly attend? (Secondary, Closed--Open) --Have you had to, or will you take any more training or classes since starting as a surgeon? (Secondary, Closed--Open) 2. What role do medical publications and associations play in keeping you updated in this fast-paced emerging field of science? (Primary, Open) 3. There are surly many options for advancement even after becoming a surgeon, what are some of the possibilities you have to further specialize? (Primary, Open) -Do you feel that any other these options would be beneficial? (Secondary, Closed--Open) -Do you desire to further your specialty later in your career? (Secondary, ClosedOpen) 4. Have you considered going into private practice? (Primary, Closed) -What are some of the benefits of private practice vs. hospital employment and vice-versa? (Secondary, Open) -What are some of the disadvantages? (Secondary, Open) Clearinghouse question: The interviewee's turn 1. Are there subjects we havent discussed that you think I need to be aware of? (Primary, Open) 2. Can you think of anyone else I could interview to get more information about the field before I enter medical school? (Primary, Bipolar) Closing Dr. Butterfield those are all the questions I have for you today! Thanks for all your insights and advice. I really have learned a lot, and not only can I fulfill the assignment given by my professor, but I can use this information personally! It is comforting to know that even with all the obstacles that stand in the way, it is possible to accomplish my dreams. I am relieved to know more about how family life is in and after medical school, as I am planning to also have a family during that time, which was one of my worries. If you remember, on the phone I mentioned an evaluation form I needed you to fill out in order for me to get credit. Please be open and honest in your evaluation, whether good or bad, it won't affect my grade in any way, but will serve as a guide as to how I can do my work better. If you could take a quick second to fill that out I would appreciate it. I have filled out as much as I could already. Thanks for your time today, I enjoyed it very much. (Handshake) Good bye.