When COVID struck, the eyes of the world turned towards the medical field. Society watched the industry with hope and scrutiny in near equal measure. Many generalized claims are made every day about “medical professionals” or “the medical field,” but who is really on the other end of these ambiguous references? It’s imperative that we remember that medicine is a whole industry made up of real people collaborating to help other people. It’s full of people like Dr. Jeffrey Harrell, PA, an experienced healthcare provider, who is always searching for ways to change the system for the better. After seven wonderful years in medicine, Jeff is looking towards an even brighter future.
From the Military to the Medical Field
While many young medical providers face tremendous doubts about their chosen path, Jeff says that he would’ve had an easier time counting the reasons not to pursue medicine. “After the military, I was looking for a way to help people back home,” he explains. “When I began working in medicine, I found that I really loved caring for people, and I was able to make a positive impact on so many lives. It just seemed like a perfect fit. I chose the three-year Physician Assistant (now called Physician Associate) path in medical school because the license allowed me to practice over almost any specialty instead of being stuck in one field like most MDs. I did specialize with a doctorate in emergency medicine, but I am trained and still quite competent in family medicine, orthopedics, internal medicine, dermatology, general surgery, psychiatry, etc. So, when I do get burned out, I can take work in a different specialty if needed.”
The pandemic showed us all just how tough it would be to work in the medical field. Jeff has no misconceptions about the difficulties of his work in medicine, but he meets each day with a positive mindset and a productive attitude. “It can be a really tough job, but it’s incredibly fulfilling. I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” says Jeff.
Medicine After COVID
Whether it’s growing more complex or more expensive, medicine is always evolving. With a global pandemic having turned the medical industry on its head for over a year (and counting), there are undoubtedly more changes still to come. For all novice healthcare providers looking to get their start, Jeff has a few insights and warnings (from an insider’s perspective) about where the industry is headed.
Jeff sees a turbulent future ahead for healthcare providers. Throughout the pandemic, he watched in disappointment as promises made to frontline workers went unfulfilled. “Many of us were told that we were lucky, that we should simply be glad to still have jobs in the end,” he recalls. The rampant maltreatment and lack of appreciation for American healthcare workers is a widespread issue, and unfortunately, it’s one that he doesn’t see going away any time soon. Despite their education and experience, American healthcare providers are consistently overworked, underpaid, and undervalued.
Jeff believes difficult days lie ahead for providers of all experience levels, as the industry is bogged down by ever-increasing amounts of red tape. This trend towards over-regulation is pushing many veteran doctors away from the industry altogether. As Jeff explains, “Bureaucracy and regulation are starving the medical field and bringing about dangerous levels of inefficiency and inefficacy. Just look at the current shortages of providers and nurses.” Even though Jeff is trained in many positions, as are most providers, the red tape prevents them from being able to use their skills to help other clinics and hospitals. It can take up to six months in some cases to become credentialed to work. When they are able to help ease the shortages, they are bogged down again with loads of up to ninety patients in a single twelve-hour urgent care shift; this can cause charting issues, missed diagnoses, and poor customer service to the patient, just to name a few common problems. Even in other specialties, the administrators are set at odds with the providers; one is focused on business, the other focused on giving the best treatment to their patients.
“The medical field is undergoing some extensive changes right now,” says Jeff, “but they aren’t all negative. There’s always hope for the future.” Jeff hopes that the current trend towards defensive medicine — which values decisions that protect doctors from liability over those that help patients — will change in favor of a more offensive approach. “We need to focus on giving patients the care they really need, instead of doing just enough to cover our own backs. Let the providers practice medicine and do what we are trained to do; stop over-regulating, questioning, and arm-chair quarterbacking their every move,” he says.
Looking to the Future
Jeff is a man of many talents. He provides a wide range of valuable services based on past successes that extend far beyond the medical field; these include concierge medicine, medical business consulting, real estate consulting, project management, sales, and more. He’s looking forward to his next big adventure, ready to take on the world with his signature approach of working hard, finding a niche, and setting unique goals.
