Math is important in many careers, but one of the most critical is in the field of medicine. For example, it’s very important for medicine to be dosed in correct amounts. I’m thankful that Michelle knows her math since she is assisting physicians on a daily basis. Even though I hope I don’t have to visit her… it’s good to know she’s there.
Can you explain what you do for a living?
I am a physician assistant. It is an advanced degree where I am able to interview, examine, order tests, perform minor procedures, assist in surgery, develop treatment plans and write prescriptions. Basically, I function much like a doctor.
When do you use basic math in your job?
All the time. I have to quickly convert pounds to kilograms because a lot of medicines are dosed in kilograms. This is especially important in trauma situations. Many medicines are weight-based like 50mg/kg divided in 3 doses per 24 hours. It gets complicated. I’m thankful that I don’t work in pediatrics because there are further calculations involving liquid and then interpreting the directions into teaspoons/mL/cc so that it makes sense to the parent based on the measuring device that is accessible to them.
Do you use any technology to help with this math?
Yes, I use calculators. I also use paper and pencil the old-fashioned way to visualize the conversions. Electronic medical record has settings that help and alert you if what you are ordering doesn’t make sense.
How do you think math helps you do your job better?
I don’t know about better, but it’s necessary.
How comfortable with math do you feel?
I rarely feel comfortable, but I feel safe that there are resources available to check my work so that I don’t make mistakes.
What kind of math did you take in high school?
I took Algebra, Geometry, and Algebra II.
Did you have to learn new skills in order to do the math you use in your job?
No, not really. Occasionally I have to brush up on statistics in order to interpret research or scholarly articles and data. There isn’t much of a role for advanced math, such as trigonometry, in my daily job.
Questions for Michelle? Let me know, and I’ll ask her!