The Three Rules of Patient Care with Dr. Michael Saag

Michael Saag, MD is a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases, Director of the UAB Center for AIDS Research and the Associate Dean for Global Health at the University of Alabama School of Medicine. Dr. Saag completed his Medical school from University of Louisville and Residency from UAB where he continued to pursue a fellowship in infectious diseases and molecular virology. During his fellowship he conceived the concept of a comprehensive HIV outpatient clinic dedicated to the provision of interdisciplinary patient care in conjunction with the conduct of high quality clinical trials, translational science, and clinical outcomes research. Over his career, he has published over 450 articles in peer reviewed journals and has directed the first in-patient studies of 7 of the 30 antiretroviral drugs currently on the market. He has been listed as one of the top ten cited HIV researchers by Science and was recently inducted into the Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame. Today, Dr. Michael Saag synthesizes a lifetime of experiences with us into three simple rules that he lives by and encourages his students to adopt. First, treat each patient as if they are a family member - ‘If Aunt Martha’s on service and I have an X-ray that has to be read before I go home, I’m not going to skip that.’ Second, be honest when you don’t know (even if you’re in a position where you’re expected to know the answer). Admit it and commit to figuring it out. Third, have fun! The practice of medicine should be joyful. Celebrate the small successes everyday. Pearls of Wisdom: 1. There are three rules of patient care: Treat every patient like family; be honest when you don’t know; and have fun by celebrating the everyday successes. 2. When walking in to meet a patient for the first time, bring all your energy in the room. That energy will build trust with the patient. 3. The training years are to learn habits more than knowledge. Those habits you develop will carry you through the next 30 years of your life. 4. The role of a year one resident is to gain knowledge without relying on textbooks. In year two, residents should understand the why behind the practice. And Year three is to practice exercising judgment.