Doctor Stories: Behind the Scenes with BJU Surgeon Dr. Jike Lu
“My dream is to find a cure for paraplegia and all the debilitating conditions that result from spinal cord injuries,” says Dr. Jike Lu, Chair of the Department of Orthopedics, Sports Medicine, and Spine Surgery at Beijing United Family Hospital (BJU). A highly experienced orthopedic surgeon and spinal specialist, his ambitions and skills have taken him all over the world throughout the last 30 years. After training here in China and in the United States, he practiced for more than 20 years in Australia before joining BJU in 2015.
For a doctor with a dream – not to mention a long list of responsibilities – every day counts. But, as Dr. Lu explains, “No day is average! It’s hard to describe a normal day because every day is different, and this isn’t a nine-to-five kind of position. For example, I might be called in for an emergency surgery at 6 am, so I have to be ready.”
To give you an idea of what it’s like to be Dr. Lu, he gives us a look at a week in the life of an orthopedic surgeon.
Monday
I spend around a quarter of my time educating junior doctors and fellows, and that is how the week – every morning, in fact – begins: clocking in nice and early at 7:45 am.
Monday’s seminar will always focus on doctors’ examinations and clinical manner. We will discuss how to examine each muscle, each nerve, the spine, and more, as well as bedside manner and general communication.
For me, attention to the fine details – as particular as the best way to open the door and welcome a patient, or the best phrases to greet them with – is essential. I make sure that my juniors are continually brushing up on their manner in order to make patients as comfortable as possible. We are rigorous in our assessment, and will repeat this every week until it is perfect.
Mondays are also one of my surgery days, when I will have patients scheduled in for operations during working normal hours. So, after class, it’s off to the theater!
Tuesday
Of course, I see patients throughout the week, but Tuesday is a dedicated consultation day. Whether it’s from a surgery the previous day or a patient of mine who requires a longer stay at the hospital, I will visit each of my patients’ rooms, check on their progress, and discuss their case with them and any other doctors involved in their care.
If all goes well, I’ll head out of work at 6 pm, and if I’m not too tired or busy, I might stop off at the gym for an hour or so. How do I relax in the evenings? Well, some people like to go to the NCPA and catch an opera, others may watch a TV series, but that makes me sleepy!
My favorite activity is to do some research. I know, it sounds like work, but if I can read a journal or an article that tells me about the latest medical news, updates, operations, and technologies, I feel more relaxed!
I probably spend between 10 and 20 percent of my time on research, but this is mainly weekends and evenings – overtime, you might say, but I find it fascinating.
Wednesday
On Wednesday, the Orthopedics Department carries out a very important weekly procedure – auditing.
We look at all the cases and data from the past week, from X-rays to surgeries to check-up reports, and analyze our performance to find any areas where we have been unsatisfactory and can improve.
Thursday
One of the areas we pride ourselves on here at BJU is our cross-department communication, and on Thursdays, we come together for case discussions. This is something we have been doing for two years now, and it has proven very helpful.
Doctors from all departments will meet to review and examine difficult cases of patients whose diagnoses we may be uncertain of. Together, we will reach a conclusion and decide how to further manage their treatment.
All our doctors know each other well, and are aware of each other’s strengths and weaknesses. We encourage our juniors to recognize their weaknesses, as safety is always our primary concern. I tell them, if they don’t feel comfortable or confident treating a patient, then don’t – ask for help, find the person who is confident. This may be me, or even specialists from other Beijing hospitals. This policy ensures the patient receives the best, safest care.
Friday
Friday is another surgery day, so I will have operations scheduled during working hours. But it is also the day when all of Orthopedics comes together for a weekly meeting dedicated to sharing and improving knowledge and competencies.
During the session, each doctor will present a journal article they have recently read, and we will discuss and study the research’s findings together. This keeps us up-to-date with all the latest surgical techniques, new technologies, and research developments happening across the world. It also helps us fulfill our goal of providing an international standard of care.
Weekends & Time Off
Ah, the weekend! When it comes around, I’ll try to find the time to relax with my friends and family, have a little party, or eat out. If no emergencies pop up and no operations are scheduled, we might take a trip out to the suburbs or take a weekend away, but really, life here is so busy!
I know this sounds like I’m still working, but I find it relaxing to go to academic conferences and meetings when I get the chance, both here in Beijing and around China, and sometimes overseas. It’s not what you might traditionally call “relaxing”, but it’s not necessarily physically exerting either. I can sit and listen, or contribute to interesting discussions that improve my knowledge – now, that’s exciting!
It’s the same with journals and articles. If I can read about the latest updates, news, operations, or technologies, I feel more relaxed. This is just what I teach my juniors: The more you know, the more comfortable and relaxed you’ll feel on the job.
Last weekend, for example, I spent three days researching and writing a paper, but I still didn’t feel tired – I felt energized! Why? Because this is what I want to do. This is my career, my dream, and my passion.
Dr. Lu is the Chair of the Department of Orthopedics, Sports Medicine, and Spine Surgery at Beijing United Family Hospital. To schedule an appointment with him, call our service center at 4008-919191.
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