Learning to Fly

A great thing about practicing medicine today is how easy technology makes to care for my patients even from a different state! This week I am completing a course to become an aeromedical examiner with the FAA out in Oklahoma City with the CAMI. It’s very similar in many ways to being a flight surgeon for the Air Force, so I’m am excited to offer this service in a DPC format. Pilots are an interesting group to work with, not least of all because it’s so essential to gain their trust, but also so difficult! You wouldn’t trust your doctor, either, if you were afraid of them taking away your livelihood and one of your favorite things to do. Luckily, the FAA has changed over the years from a binary approach of fly/don’t fly, to much more nuanced chances to really evaluate the risks of flying with different health conditions.

And in the meantime, I’m texting with patients in class, calling pharmacies between lectures, and sending the rare patient to a colleague to be seen in person. I’m looking forward to being back home next week!