We are pleased to welcome Dr. Karen Wong as the new Medical Lead, Anesthesia NRGH.
Getting to know Dr. Karen Wong.
- Where did you complete medical school and residency?
Med school: UBC class 2009; Residency: Queen’s University
- Why did you choose your field of specialty?
I love the technical and thinking aspect of the practice of anesthesia, I’m using my hands and my brain all day every day! For me, being able to alleviate pain, anxiety and discomfort for patients during some of the most stressful times in their lives (surgery, childbirth, etc) is very rewarding. I love working in the OR with surgeons and nurses, it’s like an orchestra and we rely on each other for it all to work out for the patient. I am particularly proud of my specialty in championing advances in patient safety inside and outside the OR, it amazes me how far we’ve come in terms of providing safe surgical care.
- What is most meaningful to you about practicing medicine?
The privilege of taking care of people from all walks of life, lifelong learning, being a part of a really cool profession.
- What are your professional interests and notable achievements?
I’m interested in improving quality of care, particularly how to bring everyone together to facilitate care that best suits the patient. It’s particularly challenging in Nanaimo as many of our patients are elderly, and any physiological stress, whether surgery or illness, can quickly destabilize them. Coordination of care in these patients are particularly important. Off the top of my head, notable achievements from my department include helping put into place COVID-19 practice protocols in the OR, developing pre-surgical screening and optimization programs, and developing an active teaching program for learners.
- What are your hopes for the future of healthcare?
My hopes for the future of healthcare is that we will have a strong primary care as the foundation, more emphasis on prevention, and better coordination of care with all aspect of the care team. To take care of patients better, we also need to look after ourselves better, certainly, compensation for non-clinical work, paid leaves, improved human resource planning and retirement preparation will improve well-being of physicians.
- What hobbies or activities do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
In my spare time, I try to do as little as possible (:P), otherwise I enjoy going to the beach with my family, and learning a new expensive hobby every few years (mountain biking, sailing, kitesurfing so far!)