Sandeep Jauhar, M.D., advises aspiring docs

Sandeep Jauhar is a practicing cardiologist and director of the Heart Failure Program at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. Dr. Jauhar contributes frequently to the New York Times and the New England Journal of Medicine on topics in medicine and cardiology. He is the recipient of the 2004 South Asian Journalists Association Special Recognition Award for outstanding contributions to health journalism, and is the New York Times best-selling author of “Intern: A Doctor’s Initiation.” Spectator’s Sonal Kumar sat down with Jauhar to ask him questions about his experiences, and to request advice for aspiring physicians.
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SK: When did you write “Intern?” What inspired the retelling of your intern year?

SJ: I wrote “Intern” during the apprentice year in medical school called “internship.” Internship is a good time to write because you are in the front line of medicine and you are seeing things for the first time. Questioning medical practice instigates a writing period—the exposure naturally lends itself to writing.

SK: What is it that fulfills you with a career in journalism and writing?

SJ: I’ve always wanted to do something creative. Every doctor is faced with a particular medical problem. There is no creativity in medical practice, and writing lets me have an outlet.

SK: In your memoir, you wrote about the “firestorm” that was created when your essay was published in the Times. Do you still encounter those difficulties in your career?

SJ: I’ve written pieces that are controversial, such as over-utilization of care. Most people don’t mind if you write about your own fallibilities, so I have not received much backlash about “Intern.” I am actually surprised at the amount of support I got from writing the book.

SK: How has your experience in journalism and in writing contributed to your success as a physician? Are there any overlaps between medicine and writing?

SJ: Listening to patient history is listening to a story. Medical students are also judged on how well they tell “the story.” Story-telling is really valued in medicine.

SK: What is advice that someone has given you that has most helped you as a physician?

SJ: The dean at my medical school graduation said, “Know what you believe in.” I haven’t met with the idea completely, but I try to do my best.

SK: What do you like least about medicine?

SJ: One of the beauties of medicine is how people need you, but that need is overwhelming. Sometimes you want to get away and focus on yourself. That need is both the attraction and curse of medicine.

SK: In your view, what is the most pressing problem facing medicine today?

SJ: Controlling health care costs. The fact is that a lot of what we do is redundant. There is also a lot of over-utilization. In order to remediate the problem, we will have to bend the cost curve. That is going to be the key for health care reform.

SK: What wisdom can you share with the pre-medical students at Columbia about preparing for medical school?

SJ: Do well on the MCAT and have a good GPA. Other than that, volunteer in the ER, shadow a physician, and read my book. You have to know that being a physician is what you want. It is a long-term commitment.

SK: How do you balance your life as a journalist, a doctor, and a dad?
SJ: I just do the best I can. People make time for what they are interested in. Writing is a hobby, and my hobby just happens to be more academic and intellectual. I know doctors who play golf, some that are avid musicians. I always have more access to my laptop than I would to an 18-hole golf course. At the end of the day, you have to do what you enjoy, because if you do then it doesn’t feel like work.

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Jauhar was the second guest speaker at the Narrative Medicine Rounds program sponsored by Columbia’s College of Physicians and Surgeons. Events are held on the first Wednesday of every month from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Faculty Club of the Physicians and Surgeons building at 630 West 168th Street. Events are free and open to the public. The next event will be on Nov. 4 with Harlan Coben, New York Times best-selling author of “Hold Tight.”

Interview conducted, condensed, and edited by Sonal Kumar.