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top docs
2014

People are saving their

problems for one ofice visit. possible. unfortunately, sometimes this Dodd: I sometimes find more time is
needed during the standard appoint-
This deinitely compresses the tendency prevents me from keeping on
schedule and necessitates being rushed ment time and try to suggest another
amount of time available
for each problem. to recover my schedule so that the sub- visit. I often go over the allotted time,
sequent patient’s time is not encum- and luckily my patients have generally

–Dr. William Burkhart
bered. The advent of electronic medical been considerate and will wait until I
records has also necessitated frequent have time to see them. one recent com-

multitasking during patient appoint- ment was, “I always bring a book when

ments to allow the appointments to I have an appointment with you.” Prob-
continue on in a timely fashion.
ably not a compliment—but most of my

the patient to address medicine refills, patients know I will attempt to spend
scheduling a follow-up test, and so on, Burkhart: having a busy practice the time they need when I see them.

with our nursing staff.
means that the physician is always

rushed. It’s been that way forever. We
Choo: Respectful behavior goes a long try to address all the problems that we Do you have time to get to

way. We often hear about tense phone can on their visit because we realize know your patients, in addi-
conversations or bad behaviors from that the patient cannot often come back tion to treating them? Has

the front desk. but it goes both ways.
due to time and cost constraints.
this changed over time?
I like to know if patients have com-

plaints about my staff or if situations Choo: We can usually get through most Acker: I feel blessed to have

were poorly handled. In reality, we are of our patients concerns and we try to had the opportunity to care for
all human. I have bad days, patients address their multifactorial needs, but many patients for several decades and

are often stressed, and my staff may it is still difficult to squeeze them all in. even treat multiple generations in the
be overwhelmed. A little understand- The problems with prescription drug same family. It is this type of relation-

ing from both sides, when clearly and abuse required action from lawmakers ship that makes being a physician so

patiently communicated, can resolve a and health officials. Working within the special. It is also this continuity in pa-
lot of problems.
rules of the opioid guidelines and Pain tient care that is so important in times

Clinic Laws is important for patient of illness and in the event of a health
Crane: It is the patient who has amaz- safety and pain clinic compliance. Mak- crisis. Knowing a patient over a long

ing patience, and we need to be careful ing it all work within a short visit and to period of time and with multiple visits

not to waste their time.
address patient questions and concerns promotes trust.
is challenging, but absolutely necessary.

Dodd: Since issues raised are of a Burkhart: We take the time to get
personal nature and many patients are Crane: It is best to focus on what is to know our patients. I think it has

reluctant to even raise the issues about feasible given the time allowed. Even changed over time, but without it, the
which they are concerned, I don’t expect with time constraints, I think that joy of medicine would disappear.

my staff to field these issues. Weight gain patients are satisfied when they feel

is a particularly common issue, and I that their top concerns are addressed. Choo: Chronic pain is complex and re-
have resources and referral sources for Regardless of your profession, everyone quires a village to get to know a patient.

these hard-to-tackle problems.
is asked to do more with less.
Pain affects a person’s psychological
life, spiritual life, vocational life, social

life, and family life. That’s why we need
Do you feel you usually
an interdisciplinary team composed of
have adequate time to I have had to change psychologists, an occupational thera-

address all of a patient’s my schedule by seeing a pist, a physical therapist, physicians,
concerns during their ap- nurse practitioners, registered nurses,
smaller number of patients
pointment? Do you often, and a nurse anesthetist. our first few
or ever, feel rushed during each day, and adding hours
at the end of the ofice day encounters just give us a snap shot of
an appointment?
a patient, and it may take months and
to inish the “paperwork.”
years to develop a more complete pic-
Acker: I have tried to take time
-Dr. John Acker
ture of our patients. We hope we get to

to adequately address my pa- understand our patients’ goals and get
tient’s concerns as much as reasonably
them to meet some or all of them.

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