Curiosity Beyond the Clinical Setting

Long before technology became a buzzword in healthcare, I was drawn to understanding how things work. Whether it was taking apart equipment in a garage, troubleshooting a mechanical issue, or experimenting with software, I have always been curious about systems. That curiosity did not stop when I entered medicine. In fact, it followed me into the emergency department and became an unexpected asset in my work as a physician.

Emergency medicine demands quick thinking, adaptability, and comfort with uncertainty. Technology, when approached with curiosity rather than intimidation, reinforces those same skills. Over time, I have come to realize that my interest in computer science and systems thinking has shaped how I approach patient care, workflows, and problem solving in the ED.

Seeing Medicine as a System

The emergency department is one of the most complex environments in healthcare. It is a living system with moving parts that must function together under constant pressure. Patients, staff, equipment, documentation, and communication all interact simultaneously. When something breaks down, the consequences can be serious.

My interest in technology has helped me see the ED not just as a place where individual tasks occur, but as a system that can be optimized. Just as in coding or mechanical work, inefficiencies often come from small issues that compound over time. A poorly designed electronic workflow, an unclear handoff process, or redundant documentation can slow care and increase errors.

Approaching these problems with a technical mindset allows me to ask different questions. Where is the bottleneck? What can be simplified? What information truly matters at the point of care. This way of thinking improves efficiency without sacrificing quality.

Technology as a Clinical Tool

Technology should never replace clinical judgment, but it can support it. Decision support tools, improved electronic health records, and smarter data integration can reduce cognitive load and allow physicians to focus on what matters most, the patient in front of them.

In rural emergency medicine, where resources are often limited, technology becomes even more valuable. Telemedicine, remote monitoring, and data sharing allow small hospitals to access expertise that might otherwise be unavailable. My interest in computer science pushes me to engage with these tools rather than resist them.

When physicians understand the technology they use, they are better positioned to use it safely and effectively. They are also better advocates for improvements that align with clinical reality rather than administrative convenience.

The Value of Hands On Problem Solving

Tinkering with technology teaches patience and persistence. Rarely does something work perfectly the first time. Debugging code or fixing a mechanical issue requires attention to detail, trial and error, and a willingness to fail before succeeding.

These lessons translate directly to medicine. Not every diagnosis is clear. Not every treatment works as expected. Emergency medicine often requires iterative thinking, reassessment, and adjustment. The mindset developed through hands on technical problem solving builds comfort with complexity and uncertainty.

It also reinforces humility. Technology reminds us that no system is perfect and no solution is final. There is always room to improve, refine, and learn.

Bridging the Gap Between Clinicians and Technology

One of the challenges in modern healthcare is the disconnect between those who design systems and those who use them. Physicians often feel burdened by technology rather than supported by it. I believe part of the solution lies in clinicians taking an active interest in how technology is built and implemented.

When physicians engage with developers, informatics teams, and administrators, the result is better tools. Tools designed with clinical insight improve workflow, reduce errors, and enhance patient care. My background interest in computer science allows me to speak both languages and help bridge that gap.

This collaboration is not about becoming a full time developer. It is about being an informed user and a thoughtful contributor to system design.

Technology and Patient Outcomes

At the end of the day, technology matters only if it improves patient outcomes. When used thoughtfully, it can enhance safety, continuity of care, and access to treatment. When used poorly, it can distract, frustrate, and even harm.

My goal has always been to leverage technology in ways that support compassionate, patient centered care. Whether it is improving documentation clarity, streamlining communication, or supporting rural access to specialty care, technology should serve patients, not the other way around.

This perspective keeps my curiosity grounded in purpose. It ensures that innovation remains aligned with the core values of medicine.

Lifelong Learning Inside and Outside Medicine

Emergency medicine demands lifelong learning. New evidence, new tools, and new challenges constantly emerge. My interest in technology keeps me engaged in that process beyond traditional medical education.

Exploring computer science, systems design, and emerging tools sharpens my thinking and keeps my skills adaptable. It reminds me that learning does not stop at the hospital door. Curiosity outside medicine strengthens performance within it.

From the garage to the code room, tinkering with technology has shaped how I think, problem solve, and practice medicine. It has taught me to see the emergency department as a system, to embrace complexity, and to pursue continuous improvement.

Technology will continue to evolve, and healthcare will evolve with it. Physicians who engage with that change thoughtfully will be better equipped to guide it in a direction that benefits patients. For me, curiosity has always been the bridge between hands on problem solving and better care. That curiosity continues to make me a better physician every day.