Mit - Index

Mit - SINFO 2008 04 - 8 - Index

P E o P L E
wHy DID you DEcIDE to ENtEr tHE
mEDIcal ProfESSIoN?
I can begin with the fact that, (sighs), I feel a need to help others...But
it is also true that I was quite sick as a child, that I do not have artistic
gifts, that I was not bright enough to study mathematics...
I HavE HEarD DIffErENtly: tHat
you arE vEry brIGHt, ExcEPtIoNally
HarD-worKING, GIftED wItH maNy
talENtS, tHat you SPEaK NumErouS
laNGuaGES...
(Modestly) Well, maybe this is what the voice of the people says, but I
don’t consider myself to be especially gifted, really I don’t, (smiles with
uncertainty). I like to do this, my own work; I have a good connection
with people, although I did not have this connection when I decided to
enter this profession: as a teenager, I was extraordinarily introverted,
quiet, uncommunicative, and perhaps it was precisely the white coat
that gave me the possibility to become more communicative.
you wErE aN ExcEllENt StuDENt...
Yes, (with discomfort), others were also, better. It’s true that I finished
my studies first among my year, received an award and completed
some research work, which is very demanding, but the average was
not exceptionally brilliant. I worked on my master’s degree for a long
time, because simultaneously I was working on my specialization and
at the Department − and this was difficult. I did my doctorate in the
fields of neurology and internal medicine in combination − it pertained
to changes in the heart condition that follow a stroke. I completed it
one year prior to my specialization in neurology. This work, research,
is an internal need, and today, I miss the work very much because I am
quite inundated with routine work, to which I do not include my work
at the clinic. I enjoy doing this work very much, it is very productive,
but it also exhausts me. Yes, for research I would require more peace
− a researcher, in a way, must be an egoist.
but all of your worK wItH PatIENtS
aND tEacHING...
Nothing special, this is a normal path for many. Maybe I work more
than others in the teaching field because I have many exams and
many students in practice for their selected subject, but this to me is
a pleasure and a joy.
IN wHat frEE tImE, wHIcH you
obvIouSly DoN’t HavE, DID you maNaGE
to PlacE a lovE for DoGS, ruNNING,
bIKING…
Oh, this demands a lot of time! At that time, I went home earlier, but
I worked there as well. I dedicated weekends and two days a week to
working with dogs, but this is a time in life that I do not particularly
miss. Being a guide for a rescue dog is a way of life, and as a judge
and instructor, I also demanded this from others − I was more strict in
this area than I am in medical exams and with students (smiles).
Of course, I had ambition − to attain some peak. Also, in the triathlon
and running, the marathon that I was not able to participate in
sinfo april 08 32
because of an injury. I wish that I could again attain such a good
physical condition.
you DoN’t SEEm lIKE a PErSoN wHo
woulD GIvE uP, wHo woulD wISH to
acHIEvE a Goal aND woulD Not fIGHt
for It!
Of course, I am not! I often place myself in a situation where I think
that I cannot do anything − neurologists have been in this position
for the past two years; we see a new marble clinic beside our old
long-standing one, but we are not in it and this depresses us! But we
will continue to fight. But I have achieved enough; what more could I
want? There are still at least ten years of work ahead of me.
but arE you a PErSoN wHo
coulD rEtIrE aND turN off your
ProfESSIoNal SIDE?
Oh, currently I see many things that I could be doing, but now, because
of a shortage of time, I can’t: I would like to spend time observing
art, listening to music, visiting theatres and exhibitions, reading books,
which are my passion, studying history... I am realizing that is it also
necessary to take time for yourself and to know how to enjoy yourself
when perceiving colours, nature.
a tHouGHt tHat accomPaNIES you
tHrouGH lIfE?
During my studies, it was carpe diem − seize the day. Maybe the same
holds true now, except that taking advantage of the day is different
for me now: the day is taken advantage of even with a conversation,
such as this one, so it is not necessary that it is taken advantage of
only when I’m working. Of course, it is important that I do not do
to another person that which I would not like done to me − but let
it not sound like a cliché: I often make a mistake and hurt someone,
but as a rule, unintentionally. But I also wish that I myself would act
according to the healthy measures of life that I talk to others about
(laughter)...