Navigating The Path Of Service:
From Doctor To Designer
As I’ve segued into the field of UX design, I am often asked, “Why would an ER doctor leave medicine and choose to be a UX Designer?” In fact, there are more similarities between medicine and design than one might think.
The practice of medicine, in its highest form, is a combination of art and science — just like design. However, it was very rare, if ever, that I could practice medicine in such a way.
Medicine is supposed to be a service profession, but more often, it is not. The healthcare system is bogged down with many obstacles such that delivering sustainable, holistic healthcare is nearly impossible. The way the ER is run, one can rarely treat the root of health problems. Most solutions function more like wet bandaids, constructed swiftly and fallen off after a few days. I began to feel that this way of medicine was actually a disservice.
Design (or rather good design), on the other hand, is based on the premise of effective service. How can we make things easier for users? What’s the most efficient way for someone to use our app, website, kiosk, etc.? How can we eliminate frustration? How can we successfully and smoothly execute the service we intended to provide?
I always knew there was something more, something bigger, that I had to be a part of. The force that had drawn me to medicine drew me out just as powerfully. Simply put, I was not being of highest service as a physician, and I had to find the thing that made me feel of true service.
Fast-forward to 2015. I was biding my time, waiting for this era of internet, e-commerce, and the digital revolution. The world today is vastly different than the one I grew up in — and thank goodness for that!
When I was growing up, to be successful meant to choose a career such as medicine, law, finance, business or engineering. Art and design were hobbies, not career choices. Phrases like “authentic self” and “creative self” were absent in daily vocabulary. Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Ken Robinson and Jim Gilliam were not around to teach us about the gifts deep within our souls, gifts that need to be uncovered and shared in order to progress the world.
Nor was I taught about uncertainty (except to fear it). Likewise, I was not given the latitude to imagine that I may have more than one purpose/calling/career in the world. It took time for me to understand that some of us are not meant to do one thing for the entirety of our lives. That truth goes hand in hand with uncertainty. Historically, uncertainty tended to cause me great discomfort, yet I reached a point where the certainty and security I had as a physician were far more uncomfortable. The life I created did not actually fit me. So I thought to myself, well, how do I create a life that does fit me?
Enter UX design.
After being introduced to design, it became clear that my purpose of service was evolving.
I segued into UX design because I can help people faster and more holistically. I get to be part of something larger than myself, working with others to accomplish something no one person can do alone. I have time to tackle problems thoughtfully and create solutions mindfully. I get to use both sides of my brain: the analytical, logical, planning left side for research and strategy, and the creative, visual, artistic right side for design.
For some of us, our calling and purpose evolve over time. I embrace a sense of adventure as I chart new territories. At the same time, I surrender to patience, as I’ve had to begin again.