White House Physician Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson, MD, said his press conference last month detailing President Donald Trump's health and medical exam "was definitely something [he] was not looking forward to," but that the experience "wasn't as bad as [he] thought it was going to be."
In an interview with American Council on Health and Science contributor Jamie Wells, MD, Dr. Jackson addressed the experience of being the first White House physician to hold a televised press conference about the president's health, stating he was "okay" with how the event turned out.
"I am okay with [the press conference]. I knew [the press] had a job to do. I understand the press and I think they understand me. I tried to focus on being objective and forthcoming. I feel like I provided everything that was expected, and then some. I did not exclude or eliminate anything from my report and everything was on the table. It was my first one, but overall I thought it went pretty well," he said.
He also acknowledged the array of physicians and medical experts who spoke publicly about President Trump's medical exam, voicing their concerns about his assessment of the president. According to Dr. Jackson, that type of "tabloid psychiatry" does not have much influence on his practice.
"I don’t think it is good medicine, but I understand it is a reality in the world that we live in, in which people sometimes can't separate their political opinions and issues from their professional lives and opinions," Dr. Jackson said. "I don't take it too seriously and I don't let it interfere with my practice or dictate what I do. I know that I have a responsibility to myself, my patient and my country, and I know where those lines are."
Dr. Jackson said he advises anyone who is interested in the field to seriously pursue it and research the various ways to obtain a medical education.
"I would still encourage my kids or anyone else who is interested in medicine to consider a career in military medicine. Specifically Navy medicine. Many of the burdens and stressors that drag down physicians in the private practice of medicine don't exist in military medicine and there are endless cool opportunities to do other things as part of your practice. I have really enjoyed my 22 years as a doctor in the Navy," he said.
To read Dr. Wells' interview with Dr. Jackson, click here.