ISM- MENTOR INTERVIEW ASSIGNMENT QUESTIONS

Student Name: Trey Hughes Period: 7th

Printed Name of Person Interviewed: Amir Salim

Role of Individual:
Mentor
Place/Name of Business: Amir Salim, M.D. P.A. Family Medicine

Business Address: 450 N Texas Ave

Phone Number: (281) 557-0707

Date of Interview: November 1st and November 8th

Type of Interview: __X__ In Person

1. For someone working in your field, please describe the fantasies versus realities of the job.
(fantasy vs. reality)

Dr. Salim told me that two of the most prominent fantasies he can recall are thinking you will ‘save the world’ and
the money that comes along from being a doctor. The realities of the job are that there will be many bumps on the
road, the salaries are comfortable, but not as high as many claim, and there will be a fair amount of competition
on every level.

2. What is your current educational level? What continuing education and training are required?
(educational level and requirements)

Dr. Salim explained to me that he has a Doctorate in Family Medicine, which includes all of the following:
undergraduate school, medical school, residencies, and last of all, practicing. Dr. Salim also said that he takes 150
hours of educational and ethic classes in order to maintain licenses of his.

3. Please describe the typical day to day activities of someone working in your field.
(day-to-day activities)

In terms of day to day activities, Dr. Salim told me that he comes in to his office at 8:30 or so in the morning.
During the day, from 8:30 AM to 5:00PM, Dr. Salim will see patients, usually finishing up at around 4:30PM.
After this, on some occasions, Dr. Salim will do paperwork and other tasks sometimes until 7:00 or 8:00 PM.

4. How secure are you in your current position? What do you think is the future of your field?
(job security)

Regarding job security, Dr. Salim told me that he is very secure in his current position. As for the future of his
field, Dr. Salim said that the knowledge in medicine is evolving constantly at the moment, and that technology
will have a profound impact on the industry, both for surgical and medicinal purposes.

Revised Fall 2018

 5. What is a typical (average or lowest to highest) salary of someone working in your field?
(salary)

Concerning salaries, Dr. Salim explained to me that it is all dependent on the branch of medicine one goes into.
For his branch specifically, family medicine, the starting salary is at about 120 to 150 thousand dollars a year.
With time and experience, Dr. Salim says, the salary increases accordingly.

6. What potential for growth is there in your field?

(growth potential)

When talking about growth in his field, Dr. Salim was excited to say that the growth potential is great. Dr. Salim
explains that, no matter what, someone will always be in need of a primary care physician or general practitioner.
He also pointed out the shortage of primary care physicians in Texas.

7. Since you gave become a physician, how have vaccines changed, if at all?

On the growth and development of vaccines, Dr. Salim commented that ever since he has become a physician,
new vaccines have emerged along with different techniques for making vaccines. Compared to when he became a
physician, Dr. Salim says that vaccinations have been able to treat more and more diseases, and that they have
become more available.

8. In 2018 alone, what is the average age of your patients, and what is their most frequent affliction?

On the average age of his patients, Dr. Salim stated that his patients were on average 40 to 60 years old. In terms
of the most common afflictions, he says that allergies, diabetes, hypertension, ear infections, and stomach pain are
among the most common. Also, for diabetic patients or patients that rely on some sort of medication, evaluations
and refilling prescriptions usually occurs every few months depending on the disease.

9. Have you observed an increase or decrease in vaccinations over the past couple of years?

Over the past few years, Dr. Salim told me that he has observed an increase in vaccinations due to technological
and medicinal advances that give rise to more and more vaccines. The increasing availability of and
diversification of vaccines have also contributed to more vaccinations administered over the past few years.

10. In a month, what would you say is the average number of people you vaccinate, and what is the most
common vaccination given?

In terms of the average number of people he vaccinates in a month, Dr. Salim told me that it depends on the
month. In flu season, vaccinations are very prevalent while at other times, vaccinations may be sparse. Besides the
flu shot, he says, the tetanus shot is the most common vaccine administered.

Revised Fall 2018

 Interview Summary

 Ever since 1998, innovations in vaccines have and continue to occur, being able to treat more
diseases as well as being more available.
 Due to the many vaccines that are being created every year, vaccination rates have gone up.
 The number of vaccines given in a month differ on the time of year. During flu season, flu shots
are more common, while other parts of the year may seem dormant
 The future of medicine and health care is rooted in technology, including for surgery and
medicine.
 The patients a general practitioner sees can vary, but the age range averages to 40 to 60 years old.
 The most common afflictions for these patients are allergies, diabetes, and ear infections.
 The most common vaccination is the flu shot. A close second is the tetanus shot.
 Growth potential for general care physicians is great and steady, as there is always need for a
primary care physician.
 A general physician’s day consists of seeing patients for most of the day, while doing paperwork
and other tasks the other part
 The starting salary for a general practitioner is around 120 to 150 thousand dollars.
 To become a general practitioner has to get a doctorate in family medicine, which includes
undergraduate school, medical school, residencies and practicing.
 The realities of being a general practitioner is that there are ups and downs, a fair amount of
competition, and a comfortable salary.

Revised Fall 2018