Focus on Medicine not Noise with Dr. Michael Karp

Michael Karp MD is the Chief of the Division of Geriatrics, Hospital, Palliative and General Internal Medicine and Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs for the Department of Medicine at University of Southern California Medical Center. He is a clinician educator and an Associate Professor of Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine where he enjoys mentoring young physicians. Dr Karp completed his Medical school from the Keck School of Medicine and his residency in internal medicine at USC, where he also served as chief resident. He has been awarded numerous teaching awards and is passionate about improving quality, safety, access and satisfaction for patients. Dr. Michael Karp wanted to do something noble with his life, so he became a doctor. He learned early on that his job was to practice medicine and to take care of patients, regardless of who they were, their circumstances or past history. Today, he shares a poignant personal story that taught him a lesson about how important it is to not judge and listen to the patient - to stay focused on the medicine and not the 'background noise'. In this episode, Dr. Karp talks about the lessons he has learned and his message for the next generation of physicians. Pearls of Wisdom: 1. Medicine is a noble profession. Your job is to care for the patent: Practice medicine, be the doctor, and don’t be judgmental. 2. Before you start going down the checklist of what to ask a new patient, remember they’re a real person. Find some point of connection first. 3. A great mentor is someone who sees things in you that you might not see yet. Finding the right mentor might require some help: Ask the people at your institutions that have been there longer to be your matchmaker!