Not work, but a way of life: profession - surgeon
We continueour new column on one of the most time-consuming, complex and responsible sections of medicine - surgery. It will be recalled that this section will not be filled with medical statistics, and its guests and participants are not all the doctors we work with. This column is more of a way to support and say thank you to every healthcare professional!
Today’s guest of the column "Profession - Surgeon" was the head of the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology of NNMU "University Clinic" KhNMU, Doctor of Medicine Petrenko Dmitry Yevgenyevich.
- Dmitry Evgenievich, tell us about yourself and your profession. Who do you work for and how long have you been working in this profession?
I am an orthopedist-traumatologist with 21 years of experience. Immediately after graduating from medical school, I entered the internship, and after its completion began working at the Institute of Spine and Joint Pathology. prof. MI Sitenko, where he worked for 16 years. During this time I defended my PhD and doctoral dissertations. Beginning in 2016, I became the head of the newly organized Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology at the University Clinic of Kharkiv National Medical University. My area of professional interest lies in the field of surgical treatment of diseases and injuries of the spine, including one of my most "favorite" pathologies is spinal deformity in adults and children.
- Why did you choose this profession?
For as long as I can remember, since the age of 11 I dreamed of being a doctor and, to be honest, I could not imagine another specialty. As banal as it may sound, the opportunity to help people and restore their health is a great privilege, but only for those who are willing to dedicate themselves to the difficult work of a doctor. As for orthopedics and traumatology, I chose it by accident. But when he realized his choice and began to penetrate deeply into the profession, he never regretted it. Our specialty, however, like other fields of medicine, requires great intelligence and deep knowledge, of course, if you take orthopedics and traumatology seriously. - Do you remember your first operation? Was it scary to do it? After all, this is a great responsibility.
There is a saying: "Heroism begins where professionalism ends." That’s why I can’t say that I was very nervous during my first operation. Thanks to my teachers, who have brought me to this point for many years, I felt confident and just did what I could.
Of course, any good surgeon is always worried before the operation, because he feels responsible for the health and life of the patient, moreover, if you stop worrying, then something is wrong and you need to give up surgery. In general, this requires a balance between self-confidence and a healthy experience.
- What attracts you to your profession?
I was once asked what you like about surgery, and I replied, "The opportunity to feel like a hero after every operation." It’s not about arrogance, of course, like any person, I have ambitions, but that’s not the point. The fact is that every time you help a patient, you perform a small (and sometimes large) daily feat. It is a great happiness to see a patient recover in front of your eyes.
- What is the most difficult part of your work?
Unfortunately, any doctor, especially a surgeon, makes mistakes. The price of these mistakes is the health and lives of patients. It is very difficult to live with the realization that one’s actions have changed one’s destiny for the worse. And it is very difficult to get over this feeling and continue to work, do the same operations, of course, analyzing what went wrong. Everyone learns from mistakes, and doctors are no exception.
- Are you satisfied that you have once chosen this profession?
Of course, I have never regretted my choice in my life. And I would like my child to become a doctor too, and as you know, neither parent will wish anything bad to their children.
- Who is more difficult to work with (operate) an adult or a child?
As it turned out, during my career I always worked with both adults and children. Therefore, I do not experience any problems in this matter. Of course, treating children is easier because they have fewer comorbidities that adult patients accumulate throughout their lives. Children, of course, are easier to recover from surgery than adults, but at the same time, adults tend to approach the healing process more consciously. A separate and great conversation about communication with the parents of our little patients, which is not always easy.
- What would you like to warn those who are going to get the same profession as you?
The only thing I would like to warn my future colleagues about is that medicine is a way of life. It must be included 24/7. This is not a job you forget about when you get home. Therefore, medicine must be loved.
- Does a person who has decided to become a specialist in this field need any special qualities?
In my opinion, the most important quality is diligence. Without it, nothing is possible, as well as the ability to learn from their mistakes.
- Do you remember the children who were operated on or rescued? Or, conversely, do you want to abstract from patients to save yourself?
The field of medicine in which I work is not so much about salvation as about recovery. When I was a novice doctor, I remembered all the patients by their last names and wondered how my teacher forgot them. He laughed at me and said wait and you will forget. Of course, over time you start to forget everyone, and interesting and unforgettable cases remain in your head. And sometimes, even funny, I recognize patients not by faces, but by X-rays.
- How to gain the patient’s trust and be able to manage it?
I never wanted to rule anyone. And to win the trust of the patient is very simple. You just need to be as honest with him and sympathize with him. People really appreciate it, and they often lack it. And both adults and children. Compassion, or empathy as it is now called, is a very important aspect of the healing process that helps the patient recover faster with the belief that all will be well.
- How to avoid medical errors. Is this possible?
I emphasize that there is no doctor who has not made any mistakes. It is impossible to avoid them, we are all living people. It is possible to reduce their number. This is achieved by analyzing their own and others’ mistakes, discussing complex clinical cases with their colleagues. It is very important to objectively assess your capabilities and do not hesitate to involve colleagues with extensive experience in the field where you feel insecure.
- What is the psychological barrier of the surgeon and how to overcome it?
Every surgeon has their own barriers, it’s personal, and not everyone will talk about it. But the most important thing to remember is that a professional is a person whose eyes are afraid and his hands are. A real surgeon is able to overcome all his fears and do his job well.
- Is there anything you would change in orthopedics or spinal pathology surgery in our country?
I believe that, in general, the health care system needs radical and systemic reform. This is important for both patients and doctors. So much has been said about it that I no longer have the strength to repeat it. It remains a small matter - something needs to be done. So far, the reform process has not progressed much. If we talk about spinal surgery in particular, then in accordance with global trends, I think we need to distinguish a separate specialty - spinal surgeon. Today, spinal orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons operate on the spine, although these professionals essentially do the same job. During operations on the spine, the orthopedist performs neurosurgical manipulations and vice versa - the neurosurgeon becomes an orthopedist.
- How modern are the operations you perform on children today, or are there more advanced techniques and equipment used during operations?
Today, in our practice we use the latest and most advanced technologies accepted around the world. This is possible due to our constant desire to improve our work, constantly learn, and believe in the future of Ukrainian medicine.
- In general, is surgery developing in Ukraine?
Contrary to popular belief, surgery in Ukraine is developing and is developing quite intensively. This is due to the fact that in today’s world there is an endless opportunity to learn. Scientific symposiums, practical courses, and online courses are constantly held. The usefulness of the latter, we were able to fully experience during the pandemic. Our country has a large number of motivated and qualified professionals and enthusiasts. But I repeat, they all need systemic changes in the health care system that will help them progress further.
- Dmytro Yevheniyovych, share how you rest in general or is your whole life a profession?
One of my main hobbies, apart from medicine of course, is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This is a very exciting sport that is popular all over the world and is beginning to gain popularity in our country. In addition, I love to travel. Through travel, we become more multifaceted and learn about the world. I do not believe that a person who has seen many beautiful places will be able to do his job poorly.
Author Roman Betsenko
Read also - For people to live: profession - surgeon
Today’s guest of the column "Profession - Surgeon" was the head of the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology of NNMU "University Clinic" KhNMU, Doctor of Medicine Petrenko Dmitry Yevgenyevich.
- Dmitry Evgenievich, tell us about yourself and your profession. Who do you work for and how long have you been working in this profession? I am an orthopedist-traumatologist with 21 years of experience. Immediately after graduating from medical school, I entered the internship, and after its completion began working at the Institute of Spine and Joint Pathology. prof. MI Sitenko, where he worked for 16 years. During this time I defended my PhD and doctoral dissertations. Beginning in 2016, I became the head of the newly organized Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology at the University Clinic of Kharkiv National Medical University. My area of professional interest lies in the field of surgical treatment of diseases and injuries of the spine, including one of my most "favorite" pathologies is spinal deformity in adults and children.
- Why did you choose this profession?
For as long as I can remember, since the age of 11 I dreamed of being a doctor and, to be honest, I could not imagine another specialty. As banal as it may sound, the opportunity to help people and restore their health is a great privilege, but only for those who are willing to dedicate themselves to the difficult work of a doctor. As for orthopedics and traumatology, I chose it by accident. But when he realized his choice and began to penetrate deeply into the profession, he never regretted it. Our specialty, however, like other fields of medicine, requires great intelligence and deep knowledge, of course, if you take orthopedics and traumatology seriously. - Do you remember your first operation? Was it scary to do it? After all, this is a great responsibility.
There is a saying: "Heroism begins where professionalism ends." That’s why I can’t say that I was very nervous during my first operation. Thanks to my teachers, who have brought me to this point for many years, I felt confident and just did what I could.
Of course, any good surgeon is always worried before the operation, because he feels responsible for the health and life of the patient, moreover, if you stop worrying, then something is wrong and you need to give up surgery. In general, this requires a balance between self-confidence and a healthy experience.
- What attracts you to your profession?
I was once asked what you like about surgery, and I replied, "The opportunity to feel like a hero after every operation." It’s not about arrogance, of course, like any person, I have ambitions, but that’s not the point. The fact is that every time you help a patient, you perform a small (and sometimes large) daily feat. It is a great happiness to see a patient recover in front of your eyes.
- What is the most difficult part of your work?
Unfortunately, any doctor, especially a surgeon, makes mistakes. The price of these mistakes is the health and lives of patients. It is very difficult to live with the realization that one’s actions have changed one’s destiny for the worse. And it is very difficult to get over this feeling and continue to work, do the same operations, of course, analyzing what went wrong. Everyone learns from mistakes, and doctors are no exception.
- Are you satisfied that you have once chosen this profession?
Of course, I have never regretted my choice in my life. And I would like my child to become a doctor too, and as you know, neither parent will wish anything bad to their children.
- Who is more difficult to work with (operate) an adult or a child?
As it turned out, during my career I always worked with both adults and children. Therefore, I do not experience any problems in this matter. Of course, treating children is easier because they have fewer comorbidities that adult patients accumulate throughout their lives. Children, of course, are easier to recover from surgery than adults, but at the same time, adults tend to approach the healing process more consciously. A separate and great conversation about communication with the parents of our little patients, which is not always easy.
- What would you like to warn those who are going to get the same profession as you?
The only thing I would like to warn my future colleagues about is that medicine is a way of life. It must be included 24/7. This is not a job you forget about when you get home. Therefore, medicine must be loved.
- Does a person who has decided to become a specialist in this field need any special qualities?
In my opinion, the most important quality is diligence. Without it, nothing is possible, as well as the ability to learn from their mistakes.
- Do you remember the children who were operated on or rescued? Or, conversely, do you want to abstract from patients to save yourself?
The field of medicine in which I work is not so much about salvation as about recovery. When I was a novice doctor, I remembered all the patients by their last names and wondered how my teacher forgot them. He laughed at me and said wait and you will forget. Of course, over time you start to forget everyone, and interesting and unforgettable cases remain in your head. And sometimes, even funny, I recognize patients not by faces, but by X-rays.
- How to gain the patient’s trust and be able to manage it?
I never wanted to rule anyone. And to win the trust of the patient is very simple. You just need to be as honest with him and sympathize with him. People really appreciate it, and they often lack it. And both adults and children. Compassion, or empathy as it is now called, is a very important aspect of the healing process that helps the patient recover faster with the belief that all will be well.
- How to avoid medical errors. Is this possible?
I emphasize that there is no doctor who has not made any mistakes. It is impossible to avoid them, we are all living people. It is possible to reduce their number. This is achieved by analyzing their own and others’ mistakes, discussing complex clinical cases with their colleagues. It is very important to objectively assess your capabilities and do not hesitate to involve colleagues with extensive experience in the field where you feel insecure.
- What is the psychological barrier of the surgeon and how to overcome it?
Every surgeon has their own barriers, it’s personal, and not everyone will talk about it. But the most important thing to remember is that a professional is a person whose eyes are afraid and his hands are. A real surgeon is able to overcome all his fears and do his job well.
- Is there anything you would change in orthopedics or spinal pathology surgery in our country?
I believe that, in general, the health care system needs radical and systemic reform. This is important for both patients and doctors. So much has been said about it that I no longer have the strength to repeat it. It remains a small matter - something needs to be done. So far, the reform process has not progressed much. If we talk about spinal surgery in particular, then in accordance with global trends, I think we need to distinguish a separate specialty - spinal surgeon. Today, spinal orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons operate on the spine, although these professionals essentially do the same job. During operations on the spine, the orthopedist performs neurosurgical manipulations and vice versa - the neurosurgeon becomes an orthopedist.
- How modern are the operations you perform on children today, or are there more advanced techniques and equipment used during operations?
Today, in our practice we use the latest and most advanced technologies accepted around the world. This is possible due to our constant desire to improve our work, constantly learn, and believe in the future of Ukrainian medicine.
- In general, is surgery developing in Ukraine?
Contrary to popular belief, surgery in Ukraine is developing and is developing quite intensively. This is due to the fact that in today’s world there is an endless opportunity to learn. Scientific symposiums, practical courses, and online courses are constantly held. The usefulness of the latter, we were able to fully experience during the pandemic. Our country has a large number of motivated and qualified professionals and enthusiasts. But I repeat, they all need systemic changes in the health care system that will help them progress further.
- Dmytro Yevheniyovych, share how you rest in general or is your whole life a profession?
One of my main hobbies, apart from medicine of course, is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This is a very exciting sport that is popular all over the world and is beginning to gain popularity in our country. In addition, I love to travel. Through travel, we become more multifaceted and learn about the world. I do not believe that a person who has seen many beautiful places will be able to do his job poorly.
Author Roman Betsenko
Read also - For people to live: profession - surgeon