ISM- INTERVIEW ASSIGNMENT QUESTIONS

Student Name:
Printed Name of
Person Interviewed:
Role of Individual:
Place of Business:
Business Address:

Arjun Luthra

Period:

Dr. Scott Larson, MD and PhD

Gastroenterology
___Mentor ___Other Professional #1
___X__ Other Professional #3
UTMB

___Other Professional #2

2240 Gulf Freeway South

League City, TX 77573

Phone Number:
Date of Interview:

11/12/15

Type of Interview: __X_ In Person ___ Telephone* ___Email*

*Documentation Required (Attach E-mail to Interview Verification Page)

1. For someone working in your field, please describe the fantasies versus realities of the job.
(fantasy vs. reality)
The fantasy is wanting to provide the available health care to all your patients. The reality is that patient
finances, different insurances, socioeconomics and hospital administration can often become a barrier
from getting the available resources to the patient.
2. What is your current educational level? What continuing education and training are required?
(Educational level and requirements) I am a Gastroenterologist. I Have a MD/PhD. I got my PhD is
Biophysics. I completed my fellowship with UTMB, but now as a faculty member I still continue to
learn as I provide health care to my patients. There is always something to learn.
3. Please describe the typical day to day activities of someone working in your field. (Day-to-day
activities) It is a combination of one day seeing new patients in the clinic and talking about problems
that recently come up. I tell them about some of the procedures to treat them. I see patients who have
already come before and figure out treatment wise what has worked to reduce their health issues. I also
determine some alternatives. One procedure that is common is the colon cancer screening colonoscopy.
To me, colon cancer is a completely preventable disease and I do the most I can to prevent patients
having a risk in developing it.
4. How secure are you in your current position? What do you think is the future of your field?
(job security)
I feel I am secure. I feel like the future of my field changes with government health policy.

Revised Fall 2013

5. What is a typical (average or lowest to highest) salary of someone working in your field?
(salary)
For someone like me, the average salary can be about 300,000 to 400,000 dollars. For someone in
private practice it can be about 600,000 to 800,000 dollars.
6. What potential for growth is there in your field?
(growth potential) There is always room for new technologies. For example, patients dislike the bowel
prep for a colonoscopy. I feel like in the near future there will be methods to reduce the discomfort and
stress in treating diseases.
***Questions 7-10 will be created by the ISM student.
7. Why did you choose to pursue a career in medicine?
I didnt know what I exactly wanted to do at your age. I went through a masters degree program and I
recognized my interest in medicine, science and research. I then afterwards met an individual who got a
MD/PhD and recognized the potentials to pursue my interests by getting that degree. I now enjoy my
career because even though I cant perform a widespread change or impact in a population, with my
proper education and by providing health care I can make a big change to a single persons life.
8. What is your contribution to colon cancer treatment?
I try to build awareness of colon cancer and convince patients to get colon cancer screening. I also give
patients colonoscopies, which helps us detect polyps which are precursors to colon cancer treatment.
9. What is the future for colon cancer treatment? I believe we will eventually come up with ways to
identify patients with colon cancer through noninvasive tests. I believe we will eventually get far in the
genetics arena and use blood tests to measure the risk or the magnitude of colon cancer in the patient.
Gene therapy is another area that will be predominant in the future of colon cancer treatment.
10. How can patients take responsibility to reduce risk of colon cancer?
Patients can spread the word about colon cancer treatment and share their experiences with others going
through the screening. Also, I advise patients to ask doctors questions and try best to understand what I
can do to prevent cancer myself.

Revised Fall 2013