Need more time with your doctor?

Need more time with your doctor? In today’s hurried world both the doctor and the patient can feel frustrated by the amount of time available to speak with each other. Did you know that the insurance company rarely pays for more than a 15 minute visit with a primary care physician (PCP) unless the patient has a diagnosis they think should take longer. Even then extra documentation is required to show why it would take so long. Its ironic that they pay specialists for more time (even when it is a pop in and “keep taking the same medicine” visit) than they do for PCP’s who are supposed to be on the frontline and have a deeper understanding of you and your family’s overall health. I recently admitted a critically ill patient who had just returned from overseas and the insurance company refused to pay for my hospital visits to take care of him. Even though they saved a bundle by not having to pay specialists. They said his care is covered by the $20 a month they pay me for capitation. Small wonder most doctors don’t bother to take care of their own patients in the hospital anymore. They simply turn them over to a hospitalist who doesn’t know anything about them, kind of like a mechanic who only handles exactly what is in front of him. I recently returned from a conference (way out in the Boonies!) on alternative medicine and once again learned fascinating information I would love to share with my patients. But where is the time? While I am at conferences I keep thinking “wow! So and so may really benefit from that”. “I wish I had known that before so and so had that surgery” “I have a zillion patients who complain of fatigue, fibroids etc…If only I could have more time with them” When I come back I always like to meet with my VIP patients to discuss how new information may help them and what changes we can make to their vitamin regimens. Unfortunately I cant do that with everyone, however, if you feel that you would like to schedule a private self pay consultation with me please call the office. I am bursting to share the great news of how to improve health with everyone. Believe me my own regimen changed last weekend! Here’s to real health and vitality.

Prescription Pain Medications

I recently had a minor procedure done and it was a very illuminating experience for two reasons:

Firstly, being a patient is a very humbling experience, I must confess I was deeply moved by the kindness of the people that took care of me. It is so different when you are the one with the clothes on giving instructions!
In those few hours I learned so much that I would venture to suggest that every doctor and medical student be required to be a patient for a day. Even though I knew all about the procedure, the staff carefully explained to me what I should expect. They were very sensitive about maintaining my privacy and making sure I was comfortable. Being on the receiving end made me realize how priviledged we are as health care providers to be able to help other people. It is amazing how a little kindness can be so affirming.
My promise to myself from now on is to be more compassionate and empathetic with my patients, I believe nothing else in Medicine is as important.

The second thing that I have pondered a lot since my procedure is how we as physicians have to a large extent caused the epidemic of prescription drug abuse. A subject that is featuring prominently in the news media these days because of Michael Jackson's death.
Prior to my procedure the resident (Intern) physician asked me which pain medication I 'preferred' Oxycodone or Tylenol #3. I was very taken aback because number 1, I don't have a preferred pain medication (and I don't believe most people do) and number two I knew that this procedure usually doesn't cause any pain. She reluctantly gave me a prescription for Motrin which I didn't even fill. I had no pain, none and can't imagine why I was expected to have any. If I didn't know better I could have gone home with a prescription for Oxycodone which has pretty good street value.

I have noticed for sometime now that many surgeons just routinely give patients pain medications in case of need, they constantly say "we want to get ahead of the pain".
What pain?! What we need to do is get ahead of the Pain Medication addiction and only give people pills when they need it. Even women who have just had a baby are given scripts "just in case". It really hit home hard with me a veteran physican being offered unnecessary pain medication by a young doctor who is already programmed to dispense it.

One can only imagine how much pain medication Micheal Jackson was given after all his surgeries, and I have no doubt that is probably where his addiction started.

We physicians must first do no harm but if we doctors wont change at least the patients can.
Here are my suggestions:
Decline a script if you don't need it and don't obediently take any for your family members either without questioning.
If an over the counter pill will take care of your pain don't even fill the prescription.
Get only small amounts of pain medication if needed and flush away any remaining pills when you no longer have pain.

This is my personal opinion and I feel very strongly about it.I really think that with all the technology and other advances we have made we should be able to eliminate the scourge of drug addiction.

Help spread the word.
Be well and stay active!