Describe your role in one sentence: Ensuring that the stories that people choose to share on Patient Opinion result in the largest possible number of improvements.
Why did you want to work in healthcare? It matters – it's possible to find meaning in most jobs in healthcare.
How do I want to see the sector change in the next 5 years? To begin incorporating the new evidence from neuroscience about the importance of relationships and compassion – that the "how" of healthcare is as important to outcomes as the "what".
My proudest achievement at work was ... helping turn the moving, thoughtful and reflective stories that people share into better health and social care services.
The most difficult thing I have dealt with at work is ... the NHS's endless ability to turn simple decisions into six meetings.
The biggest challenge the NHS faces is ... being a 20th-century organisation stranded in the wrong century.
The people I work with are … scattered all over the UK, fun, committed, good at Skype.
I do what I do because ... I love being part of a company, a set of companions, embarked on a common journey and mission with no guarantees but lots of innovation, enthusiasm and fun.
Sometimes people think ... that I lack focus and they are right of course – I'm more interested in what's happening left field than centre stage.
Right now I want to ... spend more time writing and less time travelling.
At work I am always learning that ... even in the very worst cases patients and families have enormous sympathy with the difficulties that frontline staff face.
The one thing always on my mind at work is ... how to make it easier for people to share their stories and for staff to respond.
If I could go back 10 years I'd ... tell my former self to be more focused.
If I could meet my future self I'd ... want them to still be convinced that this is the most amazing time to be alive.
What is the best part of your job? Being a mentor to more and more people in more and more ways
What is the worst part of your job? Dealing with the NHS's endless ability to prevaricate.
What makes you smile? The whole team interacting each morning at 9.15am on Skype.
What keeps you awake at night? Not much now. If I have trouble drifting off, I try and fathom the relationship between the Department of Health and NHS England and I'm off in a trice – it beats counting sheep.
Dr Paul Hodgkin is founder and chief executive of Patient Opinion
This article is published by Guardian Professional. Join the Healthcare Professionals Network to receive regular emails and exclusive offers.
