NCMS President's Address - Knowledge Beyond the Exam Room

One of the great privileges of being a physician is the opportunity to care for people one patient at a time. But recently, I was reminded that our responsibility—and our opportunity—can extend well beyond the walls of our clinics and hospitals.

I had the honor of participating in a community Lunch and Learn in partnership with Partnership for Age-Friendly Communities (PAFC) Larimer. What struck me most was how interested people were in understanding medical issues that directly affect their everyday lives: their ability to work, exercise, remain independent, and simply function without pain or limitation.

As physicians, we spend years—often decades—acquiring knowledge. We read journals, attend conferences, discuss difficult cases with colleagues, and continually refine our understanding of medicine. Much of that knowledge, however, remains within the medical community.

I believe we should challenge ourselves to change that.

Our communities have an enormous appetite for credible, understandable health information. At a time when people are surrounded by medical information from social media, advertising, and countless online sources, physicians have an opportunity to be trusted educators—not simply when someone becomes a patient, but before they ever enter our offices.

That does not require a lecture hall or a major initiative. It might mean speaking to a community organization, participating in a “Lunch and Learn,” visiting a school, recording a podcast, writing an article, or simply making ourselves available to answer questions in a public forum.

Each of us possesses knowledge that could meaningfully improve someone's life. Orthopedic surgeons can teach people how to protect mobility as they age. Cardiologists can help a community better understand cardiovascular risk. The primary care physician can explain prevention and screening. The psychiatrist can help families recognize when someone may need help.

Knowledge has tremendous value—but its value increases when we share it.

My experience with PAFC Larimer reminded me that medicine is not only about treating disease. It is also about helping people understand their bodies, make better decisions, preserve their independence, and improve their quality of life.

As we move toward the end of another year, I would encourage each of us in the Northern Colorado Medical Society to consider one simple question:

What do I know that my community would benefit from knowing?

Then find an opportunity to teach it.

It was genuinely an honor to have that opportunity myself, and I hope more of us will take our knowledge beyond the exam room and into the communities we are privileged to serve.

Scott Dhupar, MD

President

Northern Colorado Medical Society

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