The advantages and challenges of being a Correctional Physician
For Dr. Michael Sands, Associate Regional Medical Director in Missouri, correctional medicine may just about be the ideal career path.
“I’ve been in corrections for eight years and I can’t think of any significant downsides to it,” said Dr. Sands. “If I did, I guess I wouldn’t still be here doing it. If you want to focus on clinical work, you can work as a staff physician or if you want more administrative responsibility, we have those roles too. And we often offer flexible scheduling with physicians working everyday or just a couple of days a week, some residents even moonlight with us. There’s something for everyone here, if you’re open to it.”
Unparalleled Advantages
Dr. Sands, who worked as an urgent care physician before joining CMS, says the ability to practice medicine without the managed care “headaches” is what drew him to corrections initially, but he has since found many other unique advantages as well.
“Avoiding the traditional managed care headaches is what drew me in initially and while that has been terrific – no worries about billing, staffing and all that – there’s so much more that we offer,” said. Dr. Sands. “We typically have a 40-hour work week, appreciative patients and the chance to treat many people who have never had consistent healthcare before. When you take a balanced lifestyle, no managed care worries and the chance to make a real difference in patients lives, all that seals the deal – at least it did for me. I’d recommend correctional medicine to anyone.”
Stimulating Pathology
Dr. Mary Morehouse, Medical Director at Moberly Correctional Center in Moberly, Missouri agrees and says she particularly enjoys the stimulating pathology a correctional physician sees.
"Many of the inmate patients we have didn't seek medical care prior to coming here, so their healthcare needs have been neglected," said Morehouse. "I see a lot of cases you normally don't see in private practice in terms of conditions that have gone untreated and even unusual cases, like a patient with lung cancer in his 20s or another one about the same age with a carotid tumor. It keeps you on your toes, but it's exciting, challenging work."
Security a Top Priority
Morehouse says initially she was a little intimidated at the prospect of working in corrections, but says she soon realized that it's not what you may think.
"Working as a correctional physician here is nothing like what I thought it would be," said Morehouse. "It seemed a little daunting at first because I was worried about what it was going to be like working in a prison, but once I got here, I saw that patients here are just like everywhere else. Some are very sick and are appreciative of your help. I don't worry about the security like I first thought I would. Sure, you have your challenging patients like anywhere else, but I'm never alone here and the security staff is always around. Use your common sense and it's fine."
Experience It for Yourself
“People have all these stereotypes of what it must be like to work here, but that’s just tv stuff,” said Dr. Sands. “These are not cold, dark places. Our correctional medical units are modern, accredited environments with well-qualified professionals here to do the best job they can. I tell people all the time: put aside all the misconceptions and the pre-judgment. Just come and talk to our correctional physicians – you’ll see why many say they would hate to go anywhere else.”