If there is one thing that we can all count on in life, it is that we will all experience the pain of illness at some points in our lives, even as doctors. It is this knowledge that drives my attitude towards my patients. In fact, it is my own experiences with both acute and chronic disease that have left me with resolutions that I carry through in my practice every day. These resolutions include:

1. Everyone’s time is equally valuable. I do not allow my patients to wait for hours on end. There is no point to making an appointment for a specific time, if it is not honored. If you wait longer than 10 minutes, hold me accountable!
2. I set at least 30 minutes aside for each patient, so that we have enough time to engage properly. I do, however, also have to stick to this time limit if there are patients waiting. If I do feel that your consultation requires more time, I will reschedule a continuation of the consult at no cost to you.
3. I will never charge you for a follow up consultation. If you feel worse or no better at all or if I ask you to come back for results or for review, you never have to worry about the possibility of me charging you for this. I only request that you call in, instead of booking online, for such appointments. Do take note of the fact, however, that any problems addressed that are unrelated to the original consultation will be charged as a new consult.
4. Children are whole human beings with the same rights and feelings as everyone else. They deserve to be treated with the same care and consideration as adults, and that’s exactly what I do. Furthermore, I have found that simply involving a child in the discussion and explaining to them what is happening in a considered manner, relieves most of the anxiety for everyone involved.
5. I only prescribe scientifically proven treatment regimens. This means that, because science and medicine are constantly evolving, I am constantly reading about the latest recommended treatment options for any medical condition I may encounter. Thus, if you see me reading about your condition, know that it is because I want to make sure that I follow the very best and latest scientifically proven treatment recommendations. In the medical community, this is referred to as practicing “evidence-based medicine”.
6. Clear communication is the bedrock of a good relationship. Getting you as healthy as possible requires that we form a collaborative partnership. It is my job to answer any questions you may have. It is your job to make sure that you obtain everything you need from me and implement what we discuss. If I use a term that you don’t understand or you need more clarity about your illness or your medication, please do not hesitate to ask me. If I am uncertain or cannot answer your question immediately, I will read up about it and get back to you with an answer.

It is my hope that when you visit, you will always leave feeling better (whether physically or emotionally), and with a sense of understanding and purpose. I may not always be able to provide good news, but the provision of direction when one’s sense of security is lost, can sometimes be a lifeline.