The AMA Wire® “Members Move Medicine” series profiles a wide variety of doctors, offering a glimpse into the passions of women and men navigating new courses in American medicine.
On the move with: Tamika K. Cross, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.
AMA member since: 2014.
What moving medicine means to me: Shifting toward a society that is inbred with advancements and technology and utilizing them for the betterment of our patients. From using electronic medical records to increase efficiency and accessibility to the utilization of technology to carry out minimally invasive surgery, we are moving medicine forward. In uncovering groundbreaking research, we are able to cure more patients of diseases that we never imagined being able to treat.
How I move medicine: By working together with colleagues. With each of us focusing on our individual skills and passions, we are able to effectively move medicine forward as one unit. For me, personally, community outreach, patient education and participating in research is how I help to move medicine. Most importantly, as we all play a pivotal role in the change, we must be able to adapt to the promising trajectory that medicine is taking.
The work that means the most to me: Patient education. It really pains me when I hear people speaking about medical topics and hearing that they really have no true understanding of their medical conditions and treatments. In order to be able to effectively treat our patients, we have to educate them.
Patients not only need to know their diagnosis and treatment but what modifiable risk factors could have prevented the condition in the first place. As a physician, there is an art to being able to explain things to a patient in a way that is relatable and specific to that person. This is the most meaningful aspect of “moving medicine.”
My source of inspiration: My late maternal grandmother.
My hope for the future of medicine: That although we are utilizing innovative technology to enhance the field of medicine, we are not substituting the necessary human role in medicine. It is easy to get so enthralled in technology and electronic medical records that—as providers—we can forget to stop, look at our patients face to face and have a conversation, person to person.
Patients do not want to leave the house, drive to your office, pay for parking, wait in the waiting room and come into an exam room to have you spend 10 seconds talking to them and the rest of the visit staring at the computer. Electronic medical records have great use and I am in no way trying to minimize that, but as health care providers, I would hope in the future we can maintain that balance between using technology to enhance our care and not replace it.
My favorite experience working with the medical team: Multidisciplinary walking team rounds. I enjoy seeing how all the various disciplines (nursing, physicians, mid-level providers, students, pharmacists, case management, etc.) work together to treat one patient. I find it beneficial from a learning perspective, but also to be able to show patients all of the team members involved in their care.
The most challenging and rewarding aspect of caring for patients: This person is someone’s mother, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, and their well-being is dependent on my care. This is a heavy responsibility that can be both challenging and rewarding at the same time.
The skills every physician should have but won’t be tested for on the board exam: Bedside manners and professionalism. These are skills that are hard to teach, hard to learn and hard to test for. While these skills come quite naturally for some, it’s not so natural for others. It is important to be able to connect to your patient and the family of your patient, and these skills make that connection possible.
One question students should ask themselves before pursuing medicine: Why do I want to be a physician? Not only do you need to have an answer for the many interviews along the journey, but you need to dig deep and really know the answer to this.
Whenever you are discouraged or hit a bump in the road, think back on your answer as to why you are doing this. Revelation and recollection of your purpose in medicine is what I have found to be one of the best motivating factors along the way.
A quick insight I would give students who are considering medicine: Make sure your heart and passion are in it. The road to becoming a physician is long and arduous. It is completely worth the journey if you truly love it and are passionate about it. Many people have traveled this road before you, have made mistakes, veered off the path and still made it. Once you decide to do it, do not let anyone or anything discourage you. Find a good mentor you trust, can relate to and who has traveled this road before you. Keep pushing and know that you can do it too!
