Name:
Kate Koplan, MD, MPH
Email:
Undergrad Institution; Degree and Major:
Yale, BA in History
Medical School:
Emory University School of Medicine
Emory University School of Public Health – MPH
In practice since:
2007
Your Specialty:
Internal Medicine
Where and for how many years did you train AFTER medical school:
Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA – 3 yrs
How did you choose your specialty?
My father and family friends had done this, and they were my role models; too, I thought this would give me the most leeway in terms of broad exposure to many medical fields and types of work for future application; finally, I thought this was most linked to my interested in public health – population health, chronic disease management, preventive care, etc.
What do you like MOST, and like LEAST, about your specialty?
MOST – the breadth and depth of the knowledge; intellectual and academic rigor; the colleagues; exposure to many aspects of medicine and the human condition; ongoing relationships with patients; relationship-based work of patient care; broad applicability across topics; link to public health topics; flexibility to work in clinics, hospitals, many different care environments; loved the residency training structure content and people; gave me opportunity to pursue my field of interest which is quality/safety within a medical group.
LEAST – not enough time with patients when doing patient care; too much paperwork (even if electronic); not enough deep knowledge about certain specialties or conditions (would like to primarily care for patients but frequently need to refer them out to specialists); inbox for follow-up burdensome.
In your opinion, what attributes are important in anyone choosing this specialty?
- Broad clinical interests
- Scientific inquiry and curiosity
- Relationships with patients and families
- Ability to deal with complexity and living in ‘gray’ areas of clinical and nonmedical/social issues
- Ability to work well in structured environments and without many outside requirements (quality, documentation, productivity, etc)
- Ability to make connections between people and be a good communicator – colleagues, specialists, team members, patients, families
- Interest in patient motivation and behavior change
- Leadership qualities (frequently need to lead teams)
Hobbies/special interests:
- Travel
- Listening to music
- Reading
- Walking outdoors
- My dog
- My family
Special interests in medicine:
- Quality
- Patient safety
- Integrated care
- Global health