Victoria Rentel, M.D.
Photo taken by Mark Preston
Please describe your current (and past) practice setting/patient population – (i.e. rural, urban office setting, geriatrics, sports medicine, academic medicine, etc.)
I have had the good fortune to work in a variety of primary care settings and have developed quite a “pocket knife” of practice skills. Right out of residency I worked for a fantastic busy group who were (and are) phenomenally business savvy. The owners taught me about coding, insurance, human resources and what it takes to stay afloat in a tough business whilst maintaining integrity and good humor. From there, I went to a solo hospital-owned practice, which was a challenge. Every problem that walked in the door was mine, from the fire inspector to the landlord to drunken employee to the guy with his finger dangling by a tendon. Employment was a challenge. When a hospital wants to get out of the primary care business, turns out you can find yourself out of a job. I spent a few years at The Ohio State University Student Health where I had the opportunity to do some research, a lot of writing and expand my travel medicine repertoire. I am presently back in private practice in a terrific, busy suburban practice.
Why did you choose family medicine? Was there a particular event/person that helped you decide to enter family medicine?
I figured that I would never wait for work and my day would never be predictable. I really liked the variety, the pace and the practical patient management approach of my family physician mentors. It seemed like a flexible specialty that would lend itself to sleeping at home. I got some sensible advice in medical school; choose your specialty based on who you like to hang out with. Over the years I have developed a terrific network of dedicated, smart, hard working and funny family medicine colleagues who continue to inspire, yell at and inform me. It really was good advice!
While working, what is the best part of your day? Why?
When I have coffee, then when I have more coffee! I have a little break right before my last four to five patients and I treat it like a 7th inning stretch. I deliberately look back at the schedule and feel pretty good about the work (and endless charts) I have done, but have a clear shot to the end of the day.
What do you think patients value the most in their physician? Why?
Practice is tough. Life is tough. Copays are high; doctor time short. Patients want appointments on demand (like the minute clinic) and for their doctor to listen (for hours). I think most of us “get it” but don’t have time to “sell it” because our PAT showed up late and that lady for the pap smear shared that she was kind of suicidal and then the demented lady coded in the waiting room. Over and over with new patients I hear, “My last doctor just didn’t listen to me.” And I think, “Well, you’re lucky today that I had five minutes to spare. I won’t next time!” It is a very exciting time to practice in terms of expanding medical science and access to information. It is a perilous time to be your own highly regulated small business, operating on small margins subject to the whims of patients, government, hospitals, insurers, and of course, the economy.
What have you learned from your patients?
Well, on a micro scale, what did I ever do before a computer in the exam room where I can research a rash, a medication, lab work-up, etc.? On a grander scale, I am continually amazed (and frustrated) by how patients cope with sickness, exhaustion, parenting, work, careers and growing older. And just when I think I cannot take another FMLA form or Xanax request I will be amused by something a patient says, fascinated by a weird MRI result and moved by the grace with which somebody receives terrible news. Thank heavens. It keeps me coming back for more.
What kinds of organizations/association are you a member of (professional, community, etc.)? Please list them and provide any details.
I am a member of American Academy of Family Physicians. I am also on the OAFP communications commission and social media workgroup. I have become a grudging Facebook and marketing nerd and have run a few marketing campaigns for non-medical businesses. I have picked up HTML and PHP while running a couple of medical and non-medical blogs. I do quite a bit of freelance writing. I take a lot of pictures and have actually even sold a few. I am a member of a book club, only we call it “club” now since we all have kids/jobs/husbands and no time to read books. I am a lifetime member of the “I’m sorry I’m late but….” club and president of the “Mommy I TOLD you I needed you to pack me a lunch today” club.
