After a few decades of medical practice, I am increasingly humbled by how much I do not know. In some ways, I felt more confident just after completing my training in internal medicine and gastroenterology (GI) than I do now. While some aspects of the profession have remained unchanged, such as the value of taking an accurate medical history from patients, other aspects of medicine have morphed into a more expansive and complex landscape. Compared to yesteryear, the array of diagnostic tests and medications has truly exploded. It has been a great challenge to remain current in my own specialty of GI, particularly since I am a GI generalist who has seen a very broad range of digestive conditions. Nowadays, there are more and more drugs to become familiar with and more complex disease monitoring and treatment strategies to know. It is incumbent on those who advocate a new treatment to demonstrate that actual human patients will benefit. While...
With some regularity, a patient will contact my office and demand a prompt call back. While the patient may be understandably preoccupied with the issue at hand, in most cases there is no medical urgency present. I take my customer service responsibility seriously. In fact, with rare exceptions, before the end of every work day, I or my staff have contacted every patient who has reached out to us. The system works best when all parties are being reasonable and considerate. Patients have told me over the years of rude treatment they have received from staff as well as medical professionals. I believe that this does happen and it is inexcusable. Medical professionals and staff must maintain decorum and high standards even when challenged. When patients relate these anecdotes, I do not challenge them but I am aware that there may be competing versions of what transpired. Patients also have a responsibility to tend the doctor-patient relatio...