Dr. Bhatt: From Surgery to Saving Lives in Addiction Medicine
I didn't want to be like everybody else in the practice of medicine. So I think that can be taken advantage of, because when people come to you with mental illness and who might be suffering from schizophrenia or depression or psychosis, they might not be in the right state of mind or they're under duress, and you know they can't hold the practitioner accountable.
Imagine switching from a high-flying surgical career to diving headfirst into the challenging world of addiction medicine. That's exactly what Dr. Ashish Bhatt did, and in this episode of 'Straight Talk with The Doc', he shares his compelling journey. Dr. Bhatt opens up about his decision to leave surgery behind, driven by a deep desire to combat the stigma and prejudice surrounding addiction and mental health issues.
He believes in looking beyond initial diagnoses, advocating for thorough, collaborative evaluations to truly understand and treat patients. Throughout the episode, Dr. Bhatt reflects on his experiences across various settings - from inpatient and outpatient care to detox units. His current focus is on subacute facilities, where he aims to provide long-term support for patients.
He candidly discusses the hurdles faced in psychiatry and addiction treatment, especially given the lack of objective tests, and stresses the importance of accountability in delivering the best care possible. Dr. Bhatt's passion and dedication shine through, offering inspiration to anyone interested in making a real difference in the lives of those battling addiction and mental health challenges.