What it means to “specialize”.

This past week I had Jason of  Urban Grove tree care and consulting  come to my home and remove a very large cedar tree that was looking more and more dangerous, the bigger it became. Now this tree was growing literally 10 feet from both my neighbours home and my own, and was at least 80 feet tall, so I knew I needed someone who had the proper skill to take it down. It was obvious that any old “do-it-all-David” was not going to work in this situation. The right person for the job would have to have a lot of experience, which meant that they would have to only work on trees – particularly dangerous ones in urban settings. They basically needed to be a dangerous-urban-tree-confined-to-small-spaces “specialist”, which is exactly what Jason is.

Just look at Jason’s credential’s (something he gained over 20 years of experience):

• ISA, Certified Arborist
• Certified Tree Risk Assessor
• Hazard Tree Specialist
• Emergency Readiness
• High Angle Rescue
• BCFSC Certified Faller

I mean it seemed pretty obvious to me that Jason was the right guy for the job, and sure enough he was. The skill and finesse that he displayed falling that tall cedar into a very small space, while saving the all too close buildings, gardens, and fences was truly amazing to watch (I actually took the day off to watch the show). Not only was Jason very skilled in what he did, it was obvious that he also loved what he did.

This to me is the definition of the “specialist” – someone who primarily focuses on one area of expertise and loves doing it. Is passionate about it.

When it comes to the treatment of chronic and complicated skin disease, taking the time to find someone who’s primary focus is dermatology makes sense, particularly since the diagnosis and treatment of the skin takes a long time to learn well. You want someone who has seen and successfully treated many many cases of psoriasis, eczema, acne or whatever else is bothering you.

I often get a chuckle when I read the local paper and see advertisements for health care practitioners declaring that they are specialists, but who then go on listing a hundred different “unrelated” things they treat! It is obviously important to be knowledgeable about all bodily systems, but I do believe that in order to be really good one has to narrow their focus.

It makes sense to me that the person who’s day is filled with 96% of a particular area of focus is going to become quite skilled in that area, compared to the one who may only see a little here and there and who tries to tackle every single thing that comes through the door. Sure Jason may be good at weeding my garden as well, but if he spent most of his time weeding gardens, I would probably have hesitated to let him fall that cedar tree in my yard!

When I worked at Acubalance wellness centre I saw a lot of fertility patients (probably 80% fertility and 20% dermatology) and feel that I became quite skilled at it, simply because that is the primary focus of the clinic itself. Because I love to treat people’s skin and have spent years acquiring the knowledge to do so, I knew that I would have to leave Acubalance and start up my own “skin clinic”, in order to truly get really good at it.

For your own well being and to increase your chance of a successful treatment, I encourage you all to locate a practitioner that is skilled in the areas of health that is of concern to you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about their skill level and experience, as you deserve the best when it comes to your health. If it means that you have to travel a little extra further, it is probably well worth it in the end.

Wishing you health,

Dr. Trevor Erikson