Patient reaction
His patients appreciate his comedy
hobby, he said, and have even
attended his performances. Some
have expressed surprise at how silly
he is onstage versus how he is when
in the office with them, discussing
their
eye health.
"Others have said, 'If I didn't
know you ahead of time, I wouldn't
know you could be serious in the
office like you are,' so blurring that
line between my office persona and
my stage persona can sometimes be
a challenge," he said.
Through improv comedy, he
has
learned the art of the concept of
"yes, and" which is how the games
proceed, he said, by allowing for
more improvisation to flow from the
conversation instead of stopping it
through a negating statement.
This concept has extended into
his ophthalmic practice and his ex-
periences with his patients, he said.
"Those sorts of things can help
you get a better history from pa-
tients, and it makes them feel more
comfortable without knowing that's
what you are doing," Dr. Crum said.
The nature of improvising with
others on stage has assisted him in
his daily ophthalmic work, too.
"Just as the nature of improv is
to
make things up as you go along,
that's how it is here in the office.
If something seems appropriate …
then I'm glad to throw it in. But
it's just a matter of taking it as it
comes," he said.
Dr. Crum has been an ophthal-
mologist for 20 years and said that
he encourages others to develop
outside
interests to help enhance
not only their personal lives, but
also their practice work. He has
lectured on the topic at an annual
ophthalmic meeting, showing
attendees how improvisational
comedy works.
"With all of the potential
changes in healthcare, insurance,
regulations, and the conversion to
electronic records, it's wonderful to
have a diversion for your brain and
for your stress level, somewhere
else to go that lets you recharge and
something that you look forward to.
For me, improv comedy is certainly
that outlet," he said.
"I would encourage everyone
to find something that suits him
or her and then to pursue that
with a diligence that lets you look
forward to going back to work be-
cause you're recharged," he said.
EW
Dr. Crum (right) and a fellow improv troupe member play out an improv comedy scene.
EW
SHOW DAILY
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ASCRS•ASOA SYMPOSIUM & CONGRESS, BOSTON 2014
