Q+A with Dr. Robert Katzer & Dr. Adriana Vazquez (UC Irvine)
Interviewed by Madeline Mori (Western University of Health & Sciences)
Accessible Text Version
What is Wilderness Medicine?
Dr. Katzer: I feel the most accurate general definition of wilderness medicine is providing medical care in an austere environment. I also divide it into two general categories. Expedition medicine, which involves pre-planning for and providing medical care to a group when they are out in the wilderness by a member of that group. By contrast, Wilderness EMS involves locating, rescuing, treating medically, and transporting those patients by someone external to the group.
Dr. Vazquez: In my experience it can encompass the practice of medicine in any instance in which not only resources are limited, but there is also difficult access to patients, difficult access to definitive care, challenging environmental conditions, and the need for improvisation as well as creativity.
What was your path to Wilderness Medicine?
Dr. Katzer: I have a long background of enjoying and providing service to parks. This involved volunteering in a national park growing up, hiking, and mountain biking. Once I developed experience in EMS, pairing the two up as part of my medical practice made as much sense as anything else would in life.
Dr. Vazquez: I discovered Wilderness Medicine as a career path much later than I would’ve liked [during second year of residency]. I would’ve loved to participate in so many of the programs available for medical students and residents. I was so lucky that with my limited formal experience in Wilderness Medicine I ended up in such an excellent fellowship at UCI.
How is working in the field different than you expected?
Dr. Katzer: Working in the ED, we have the benefit of so many resources. As a physician, I place an order, or make a verbal request and things seem to happen magically. CT scan. Done. Yankauer. Appears in my right hand. Midazolam drip start here, titrate there. IV pump running. Etc. When working in the field, I am privileged to work with an amazing group of highly skilled professionals. In terms of medical care, however, I manage my packs with the equipment that the conditions allow. At most, there is one other medical provider working with me when delivering that medical care. This is a challenge that I really enjoy.
Dr. Vazquez: The Wilderness Medicine world is so vast, there are so many opportunities being created by folks around the world. It is amazing to see such collaborations.
What has Wilderness Medicine allowed you to learn or do that might not have been possible otherwise?
Dr. Vazquez: It has shown me another face of medicine. It’s so much more than being outdoors. For me it’s the place where science meets creativity. It’s all about thinking outside the box and using the environment around you for you. It teaches you how to best optimize resources. It teaches you a lot about priorities; about making conscious and timely decisions and learning to identify your limits as well as the limits of others. It teaches how being prepared and how having a plan saves lives even in the face of chaos. I try to apply those same concepts to my everyday practice that is definitely very far from remote.
What advice do you have for aspiring Wilderness Medicine physicians?
Dr. Katzer: Find the aspect of wilderness that you love. Match that up with your skills within the house of medicine. If you can combine them as part of your practice I cannot think of a better way to maintain your physician wellness and professional growth.
Dr. Vazquez: Take advantage of all the opportunities available, practice your skills and be sure to share your knowledge responsibly. Knowing what to do in an emergency is so important but so is knowing when and how to apply that knowledge.
-----
[Included in our Q3 newsletter. Editor: Tiffany Fan]
Comments