Renowned Medical practitioner, Dr Patrick Coker today marks 30 years in full time private practice.
In an interview with Awoko at his Percival Street surgery, Dr Patrick Coker explained that, “I came out [from medical school] in 1973. I worked for the government service and then left government service in 1978,” he said.
Relaxed on a black leather swiveling chair, the handsome doctor with well-shaved white beard said, “there are so many aspects in the profession. It is more satisfying now because you are able to do so much… to save lives, heal the sick; but it is sad that still there is so much that one can do, and that you are not able to do because the facilities are not just readily available.”
He accentuated that in the profession, “you meet with all types of people… some are more grateful, some ungrateful, some appreciate, some don’t, some are pleasant while others unpleasant, but that is really what makes the profession a special one.”
“The good thing about being in private practice,” he said, “you can organise thing the way you want, but at the same time it means you have to put in a lot of hard work and dedication.”
Dr Coker disclosed that, “It is interesting that at times you tell people ‘I don’t feel like going to work today,’ and they will tell you, ‘you are in private practice you can seat at home.’”
He pointed out “they don’t realise that it is exactly the opposite [when you are in private practice].
“I’m know for coming to work at 8am if I’m late it due to unusual traffic or emergency, but not as a result of laziness or tiredness as the case maybe,” Dr Coker maintained.
To be in private practice, the doctor explained “… is very rewarding very satisfying… but believe you me it is a lot of hard work and dedication and a lot of commitment.”
Dr Coker assured in a calm and friendly tone, “as long as I have health and strength I’m not thing of retiring for the next ten years.”