MD Whistleblower

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...

Gastroenterologists see patients for chest pain regularly.  This is because the esophagus is a potential origin of various chest symptoms.  We all know that heartburn and belching, for example, can be manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD.   But the esophagus is not always the culprit responsible for chest distress! When I am seeing a patient with chest pain, my highest professional obligation is to consider if there might be a cardiac explanation.   If I am at all suspicious, then I will direct the patient to an appropriate practitioner, which may be the primary physician.   Years ago, I sent a patient with chest pain directly to the emergency room.   From there, he was sent for cardiac catheterization when a stent was placed..   Nearly every doctor could relate a similar anecdote. Oftentimes, chest pain patients are sent to me by cardiologists so I can be secure that a cardiac explanation has been excluded,   On oth...

An important part of the human experience is the connections we forge and cultivate with others.  We all have our own universe populated with a cast of characters who play roles in our personal and professional lives.  You might recall the words of a rather well known playwright who began a monologue with, All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players… Familiarity breeds comfort.   Comfort creates satisfaction.   Change triggers anxiety. The three maxims above are not incontrovertible, but they are often true.   Indeed, we have all experienced them throughout our lives. As of this writing, my mother is 90-years-old.   She is managing reasonably well in her own apartment in New Jersey, in the same town where I was first raised over 60 years ago. During one of my recent visits to her, when she was of the tender age of 89, she prepared an amazing and unforgettable surprise for me.   She made me her special meatloaf, the same one ...

 E pluribus unum has been regarded as our national motto since 1776.  This motto has remained the same but I wonder if we have remained true to its meaning. This Latin phrase in English means, out of many, one.   This certainly encapsulated the dream of the Thirteen Colonies who aspired to join together to form one nation.   Coincidence that the motto has 13 letters? This motto appears on the Great Seal of the United States and on our currency.  I just pulled out a $1 bill and verified this.  If you wish confirm this yourself, then I suggest having a magnifying glass in hand! For the purists among you, our official national motto, In God We Trust , was established in 1956 by an act of Congress. It seems that the forces of division in our country have gained strength and momentum, particularly over the past decade.  Our legislature and the populace are sharply polarized.  Politics does not seem to be a forum for a respectful exchange of views...