I am a breast surgeon, an educator, and an advocate. My practice philosophy is simple – I strive to provide the highest quality care in a comfortable and warm setting, and to tailor that care as much as possible to the individual needs of each patient.
One of the factors that drew me to develop a practice focused exclusively on breast disease was the connection I was able to develop with my patients. The specialty requires spending time getting to know the patient, understanding her disease, and then putting the two together to come up with a treatment plan that she is comfortable with. In order to do this, you must first spend time listening. I recognized very early in my career this was something that came naturally. When I was behind closed doors with my patients, I was often asked by my staff, “What are you talking about in there for so long?”
Looking back at the factors that shaped my practice style, there are two that stand out.
The first is my father, who is a retired cardiothoracic surgeon. He was an immigrant to this country, from a very humble background. When I was in high school, I accompanied him to his office, on hospital rounds, and to the operating room. And I was fascinated. I saw another side to my father – of course I always knew him as a loving and brilliant man. But I also saw how he could explain complicated medical conditions and procedures using plain language that the patient and their family would understand. He spent as much time as was needed, never leaving the room until every question - from the patient and their family - had been answered. I also saw a brilliant heart surgeon who was considerate to all and generous with both time and knowledge. His humility shined. I find myself hearing his voice with almost every patient encounter. I feel I was taught by the best.
The other factor that has shaped my practice philosophy also stemmed from personal experiences. I always knew - and I think most physicians would agree - that Western medicine does not always have all of the answers. That hit home for me a number of years ago, and the experience opened my mind even more to the fact that there is often more than one “right” answer. I was also able to appreciate just how scared and powerless patients feel, and how the lack of control over their illness increases the anxiety. As a result, patients will often trust doctors, even when their instincts and their reactions to treatments tell them otherwise. In order to truly heal, we as physicians must appreciate what is important to the patient, understand the disease and the role it plays in their lives, and approach each patient in a more holistic manner.
It is difficult to do that in these times of reduced reimbursement, administrative pressures to see more patients, and increasing legislation and regulation. But it is the only way I know how to practice. My experiences have shaped how I practice, and have helped me put myself in the shoes of each and every patient that I treat.
As a result of my experiences, I have also developed a strong personal and professional interest in the role of diet and lifestyle to improve health and reduce the risk of disease. Modern life is toxic. And as physicians, we often set the worst example. But lifestyle issues need to be addressed if we truly want to have an impact on a patient’s health. We need to start with ourselves, and we need to listen to our patients. Understand their disease in the context of their life. And come up with a plan that works – for the individual.
Thankfully, the days when a physician considered the patient and their disease as one in the same are long gone. And also thankfully gone are the days when the physician “ordered” a treatment. While the concept of “shared decision making” is becoming part of the lexicon for patients and physicians alike, it’s simply the right way to practice medicine.
I never wanted to be the busiest breast surgeon in Los Angeles - I would not be able to practice in a way that I am comfortable with if I treated a record number of patients. But I do strive to provide the best care for each individual that comes to my office and make her feel as comfortable as possible with her decisions.