'The most frustrating moments of my career': 3 spine surgeons weigh in

Spine

Here three spine surgeons discuss the most challenging moments of their career.

Ask Spine Surgeons is a weekly series of questions posed to spine surgeons around the country about clinical, business and policy issues affecting spine care. We invite all spine surgeon and specialist responses.


 
Next week's question: What advice do you have for young spine surgeons, just beginning their careers?  

 

Please send responses to Anuja Vaidya at avaidya@beckershealthcare.com by Wednesday, Jan. 20, at 5 p.m. CST.

 

Question: What was the most frustrating moment of your career?

 

Brian R. Gantwerker, MD, The Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles: The day I realized that the salad days of medicine are gone. We are being asked to get used to the new normal. I think partnering with other physicians or carefully negotiating employment contracts can help [maintain] a good quality of life. But in terms of doctors owning multiple homes and on vacation a month or more per year — those days are gone.

 

Richard Kube, MD, Founder, CEO, Prairie Spine & Pain Institute, Peoria, Ill.: The most frustrating moment was just prior to opening my solo spine practice. I had spent a year away for my restrictive covenant, and as the time approached to return home and open the practice, I encountered huge pushback from the competition. While it was largely expected, I was surprised at how supposedly neutral parties, such as the hospitals, acted. It was surprising how much politics played into literally every step of the process.  I persevered, and it honestly made success that much more satisfying. There was a time however, whether I thought it would be possible to fight the local machine.

 

Neel Anand, MD, Clinical Professor of Surgery, Director, Spine Trauma, Cedars-Sinai Spine Center, Los Angeles: Patients being denied medical care, that is, blatantly being denied care by someone [from an insurance company] with no medical background.

 

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