The digital world in medicine is becoming a day-to-day practice. During the first months of the pandemic, I started offering video consults for my patients. Many took this opportunity and embraced it as a first aid, which made them feel safe and taken care of. I believe the digital approach to medicine can bring benefits to patients from farther away distances, improving our management of data and updates in our field.
1. Tell us about your upbringing, background, and journey?
I am Mexican and grew up in a family that gave me the opportunity to become who I wished to be. I studied medicine at La Salle University, where during 5 years I learned about my capabilities and limitations. Becoming a Doctor brought the worst and best out of me, and as demanding as it was, they were some of the best years of my life. Two years ago I moved to Cuenca, Ecuador to start a new life with my Ecuadorian husband, who is also a Doctor.
2. Why did you choose to be a doctor and decide what you specifically want to do?
I decided to become a Doctor because I am a person who cares, and I didn't think of any other career for me that would let me channel this caring into actions.
I decided to study Otorhinolaryngology in the National Institute of Rehabilitation because it is a specialty that lets me treat patients from all age groups, it gives me the resources to change situations for people and rehabilitate most of the senses (sound, smell, taste, and touch) of our human condition. I am passionate about the ear and hearing and can get lost in time when I'm in the operating room.
3. We salute your work during the pandemic, where did you get the inspiration to work so hard?
During my social service In Puerto Vallarta, I came in contact with reality in my countries' social health, and I realized I wanted to do something that could change my patient's situation with surgery but also keep the clinical contact with them, and this specialty includes all of this.
I have always thought that in order to care for someone better, you must know a little about them. I always promote getting to know my patients, some of their aspirations, background; afterward, it is easy for me to empathize with their pain or their concerns and then the time and effort I put into my work becomes much, I wouldn't say effortless, but easy going.
4. How do you expect digital health to grow over the next 5 years?
The digital world in medicine is becoming a day-to-day practice. During the first months of the pandemic, I started offering video consults for my patients. Many took this opportunity and embraced it as a first aid, which made them feel safe and taken care of. I believe the digital approach to medicine can bring benefits to patients from farther away distances, improving our management of data and updates in our field.
5. What are your concerns about Digital Health?
I would have to say that a video consultation is never the same as the clinical and physical exploration we can get in person. For example, many of my digital patients are called for a 2nd in-person evaluation so that I can observe and feel in order to get a diagnosis or a better follow-up. This would be my concern on digital medicine, losing the feeling and close contact of diseases that can only be detected with face-to-face contact with the patient.
6. Can you let us know anyone application of Digital Health in your country which has impressed you?
There are excellent applications on digital health in Ecuador, for example, i salud and Doctorisy.
7. What is your message for aspiring doctors and the young generation? Which is the best medical college according to you?
I would tell aspiring doctors that medicine is a career to whom you marry, it requires a lot of sacrifices; something that applies to anything that is worthwhile. So don't be in a hurry to finish, enjoy the trip, and always see patients as individuals and not diseases.
Also, I would remind them that life is about balance, you can make a difference and have a personal life. I believe the best medical college is the one you go to, the one that gets you reading after classes and where you can ask everything you don't understand, in the end, the best books are the patients.
8. What is your message for aspiring doctors and the young generation? Which is the best medical college according to you?
A typical day for me if I have surgery is waking up at 6 am, having morning surgery. Then I leave the rest of the morning for my public practice which is divided into a public health clinic and a Foundation. In the middle of the day, I go home to eat with my husband and walk my dog.
Later in the evening, I return to my private practice. To finish the day, I go to roller skating classes some days, and others I either run or do gym work out.
Besides work I enjoy traveling, anything is an excuse to travel for me. I also enjoy reading thrillers, going out on my bicycle, and family time.
Dr. Jimena Mancera Sanchez - Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery | Diploma in Rhinology and Facial Surgery - Mount Sinai Hospital, Cuenca
Interviewed By: Shivansh Sharma
){kind=link}
0 Comments