Practice Philosophy

The medical system has changed and we, both physicians and patients, need to change with it.  You now have access to endless information on the internet – some helpful and some worthless or even dangerous – yet your doctor has less time than ever before to discuss it with you.  Doctors are overwhelmed by paperwork and insurance company regulations, and patients are struggling with how to stick up for themselves while maintaining productive relationships with their doctors.

There is a solution.

I believe that empowering yourself and effectively collaborating with your doctors is the answer. This means that you must have the knowledge and skills to advocate for yourself in the medical system as well as an understanding of your doctors’ needs, stresses and motivators.

I will help you accomplish this by:

• Meticulously assessing your healthcare needs
• Educating you about your illness in understandable terms
• Researching your treatment options and helping you choose the best treatment for you
• Exploring alternative therapies if you are interested in them
• Helping you come up with questions for your doctors
• Offering myself as your guide and translator as you navigate our complicated healthcare system
• Helping you to make difficult medical decisions, taking into account your medical condition, your treatment goals, and your values
• Identifying a stress reduction plan that works for you
• Teaching you strategies for communicating effectively with your doctor
• Accompanying you to important doctor visits at your request
• Using my insider knowledge of, and connections to, the healthcare system to help you get the best care possible

I expect you to:

• Seek empowerment and try to avoid the role of victim
• Learn all that you can about your health condition and its treatments
• Pursue a regular stress reduction plan
• Keep your commitments (to your doctors and practitioners, to me, to your family and, most importantly, to yourself)
• Communicate openly and honestly

Illnesses are never welcome and it would be better not to have one. But if you are facing an illness, it is better to tackle it from a position of strength and understanding rather than from one of fear and confusion. Together we can make that happen.