I was in pharmaceutical sales for over 20 years. I loved it.
One of the things I missed most when I left was talking about studies and
clinical trials. I loved going into a doctors office and have the doctor say to
me, “Did you see that *** study in New England?” All my geekiness would surface
and we would have a talk about it because of course I had read the study too.
Left me tell you outside of the pharmaceutical/medical
world, conversations like these just don’t happen. A clinical study data released was for me
like knowing a big sale was going to start on your favorite shoes!
I love the work I do now with my company. We are successful
and have been in business for 8 years but last year I was having the 7-year
itch. To scratch it I enrolled in an online course to become a medical coder.
It was one of the most difficult things I have ever done! My brain cells were
not just exercised they were put into Olympian training. For 5 months I spent 6 hours a day everyday studying.
I mentioned the course was on line which I had to adapt to. I could email questions and get encouragements
but I found this type of study lonely. There was reading, practice exams,
workbook exams and final exams for every chapter. The exams were timed too. 2 hours
was given for every chapter exam and it took me every bit of the 2 hours to
complete the exams.
The intensity aside, the course was really interesting to
me. A medical coder takes the diagnosis and the treatments from the doctor and
translates it into codes that then can be billed to insurance and or collected
for data.
There are codes for diseases, injuries, conditions,
syndromes, and for wellness. The trick and it is almost like a mystery finding
the clues, is to code correctly. The correct code means anyone, a hospital
doctor, you personal doctor, or your insurance can look at the codes and know
exactly why you visited the ER or doctor.
I wanted to exercise my brain and challenge myself, and I
achieved it. It was a very difficult course of study. The final exam to become
certified was 6 hours long! I passed and I am certified. At age 60 I have
learned a new skill set.
Have you ever taken a course just for the brain exercise, or
for the intellectual challenge?
16 comments:
I resist taking classes because I get very fidgety when I have to PAY ATTENTION on command. Plus I can't remember anything!
I absolutely understand Sharon! On the timed exams I started having anxiety that I really had to push through to be able to complete the course.
I totally get it about talking about clinical trials! Yes I do.
I did take an intense online course 2 years about for a certificate in patient advocacy. It was VERY difficult and I got close with my online classmates. It stretched my brain. A job at the end of that tunnel? No. Everyone wants a nursing background. Enter my writing married to my health advocacy and you now have the full picture about my career!
Thanks Cathy, kindred Clinical geeks!
I think your combination, health advocate and writer/speaker is a fantastic career marriage.
Very very proud of you, Haralee!
Thank-you Lori! We are never to old to have some one say that. I really appreciate it!
Six hours a day every day studying. Discipline. I admire that. Congratulations on all of your hard work!
Thanks Linda, it was not easy at all!
Me too Haralee! I love a good research study and I love discussing them too! -- Laura Lee
Another kindred clinical geek sister! Thanks Laura Lee.
I love learning, classes, studies, studying, and having to work my memory and cognitive skills. Exercise actually helps with all this, so it could be a non-vicious cycle I am in. Way to go with your new skills!
Thanks KFF!
Umm . . . I learned how to text . . .
Hey Diane, learning to text is nothing to sneeze at!
I have taken an online nutrition course. It was a great learning experience and a great deal of work tracking calories, nutrients and analysis. Thank goodness the exams were not timed. I would have been a basket case. Congratulations on a great job completing the course.
Thanks Kathy for your kind words. The timed test were anxiety producing!
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