Much of my approach to my interactions with patients has been formed by my experiences as a patient rather than as a doctor.  Being on the receiving end of medical care that has encompassed a full spectrum from supportive and life-changing to unhelpful and even traumatic has profoundly impacted my practice of medicine.  While the negative experiences with healthcare professionals and the difficult health issues I have endured have not been enjoyable, I am grateful to have had those experiences to inform my role as a physician and to shape and improve me as a person. Additionally, the positive experiences have given me a personal understanding of the tremendous value of a physician who is invested and considerate.

It seems that most of the negative experiences that people have with physicians occur because those physicians are too narrowly focused on medical issues while losing sight of the person entrusted to their care. Doctors are tasked with caring for persons, not simply medical conditions. My role is not just to treat medical issues but to treat people with medical issues. One of my favorite parts of being a physician is putting together all of the many pieces of relevant information (medical, social, situational) in the context of a unique person and his or her circumstances, preferences, and goals and figuring out various courses of action to best care for that person — by addressing all of that person's needs, including the physical/medical as well as the psychological and spiritual.

Perhaps the most important thing I do as a physician in caring for a person is to listen.  When I see a patient, I listen, I ask questions, I listen some more, I do an examination, I ask more questions, I listen some more, I synthesize everything into an assessment, I propose several options for a plan, and I listen some more.  A physician can hardly be effective if (s)he does not fully understand the issues; does not fully understand the person's circumstances; or if the patient does not feel that the physician fully understands these things.  Listening well — by allowing adequate time for the patient to tell his or her story, by expressing understanding and making clarifying statements, by asking questions, and by providing an atmosphere of compassion and warmth — is the only way I know to accomplish all of those goals.

My practice of medicine takes time.  I take much more time than would be typical for my field, but I feel it is essential to providing great care.  Great care is the care I would want to receive and the care that is appropriate to human beings, who have supreme God-given dignity.  As a deeply committed Catholic Christian, I aim to treat everyone with respect and kindness and to always do my very best for all of my patients.