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“My doctor doesn’t listen”. Miscommunication between patients and their healthcare team can have a tremendous impact on patient trust AND their health. With 20 years of practice, Dr. Christine M…

“My doctor doesn�…

“My doctor doesn’t listen”. Miscommunication between patients and their healthcare team can have a tremendous impact on patient trust AND their health. With 20 years of practice, Dr. Christine Meyer has had thousands of conversations with patients-not all of them great. Join us as we explore the keys to restoring patient trust, creating a better patient experience, and improving healthcare outcomes simply by having better conversations.

When a patient comes to me with complicated symptoms, I typically order a series of tests to arrive at a diagnosis. But what happens if those tests all come back normal? There are conditions that can�…

When a patient comes…

When a patient comes to me with complicated symptoms, I typically order a series of tests to arrive at a diagnosis. But what happens if those tests all come back normal? There are conditions that can’t be identified by CAT scans, blood tests or ultrasounds. And sometimes testing only adds to a patient’s Anxiety and makes them feel worse. So, how do you decide when testing is necessary and when it isn’t? On this inaugural episode of Tell Me More, I sit down with my pediatrician husband, Christopher, to discuss how his approach to testing differs from mine and why testing children often do…

For many years, Keri suffered from debilitating gastrointestinal issues, fatigue, weight fluctuation, and Depression before she was finally diagnosed with hypothyroidism. And she has had more than her…

For many years, Keri…

For many years, Keri suffered from debilitating gastrointestinal issues, fatigue, weight fluctuation, and depression before she was finally diagnosed with hypothyroidism. And she has had more than her fair share of conversations with doctors. How did the experience improve once Keri felt heard? How did effective communication impact her health? And what does effective doctor-patient communication look like? On this episode of Tell Me More, Keri joins me to describe the mental and physical symptoms of hypothyroidism and discuss how long it took to get an accurate diagnosis. Keri explains the po…

Danielle doesn’t feel like a medical miracle. But after experiencing a Stroke at the age of 33, being misdiagnosed for several months and enduring complications from brain surgery, her health journe…

Danielle doesn’t f…

Danielle doesn’t feel like a medical miracle. But after experiencing a stroke at the age of 33, being misdiagnosed for several months and enduring complications from brain surgery, her health journey is truly extraordinary. Unfortunately, Danielle and her husband Stan had a number of difficult conversations with the not-so-sympathetic specialists who treated her along the way. What were those conversations like? Should we tolerate a certain amount of arrogance from medical professionals at the top of their field? And what is the best way to approach healthcare conversations when your life is…

A lot of us feel a little blue during the holiday season. But for some, that blueness is much more significant. It can be a medical diagnosis of clinical depression or anxiety that disrupts their live…

A lot of us feel a l…

A lot of us feel a little blue during the holiday season. But for some, that blueness is much more significant. It can be a medical diagnosis of clinical depression or anxiety that disrupts their lives.  And as good as medicine has gotten over the years, we still do a pretty rotten job when it comes to talking to patients about their Mental Health. There's this stigma that if life is pretty good, and you have a lot going for you, you should just be able to pick yourself up by the bootstraps. So, how can clinicians broach the subject of mental health with patients who may need support? And how…

11 years ago, Kim woke up with a headache that refused to go away. After five days of suffering, she went to her primary care doctor and was diagnosed with adult-onset migraines. But four months and 2…

11 years ago, Kim wo…

11 years ago, Kim woke up with a headache that refused to go away. After five days of suffering, she went to her primary care doctor and was diagnosed with adult-onset migraines. But four months and 23 medications later, she was admitted to the hospital for pain control. None of the treatments had worked. That’s when the hospital neurologist accused Kim of faking her symptoms to get attention. And Kim started to wonder if she was losing her mind. On this episode of Tell Me More, Kim joins me to discuss the physical symptoms she experienced in the four months leading up to her hospitalizat…

Molly endured the life-or-death experience of an ectopic pregnancy. Then, when her obstetrician said it was safe, she got pregnant again and delivered a healthy baby boy. Today, she has two children u…

Molly endured the li…

Molly endured the life-or-death experience of an ectopic pregnancy. Then, when her obstetrician said it was safe, she got pregnant again and delivered a healthy baby boy. Today, she has two children under the age of two. And while Molly is grateful to have had two successful pregnancies, the journey was fraught with the frustration of having to explain her history again and again. So, what can we do to make women who’ve experienced pregnancy loss feel supported? On this episode of Tell Me More, Molly joins me to discuss her first pregnancy, walking us through the nine weeks leading up to …

When I was growing up in the ’70s and ’80s, ADD wasn’t a thing. Kids with attention deficit disorder struggled to succeed and often developed anxiety and depression as a result. This is exactly …

When I was growing u…

When I was growing up in the ’70s and ’80s, ADD wasn’t a thing. Kids with attention deficit disorder struggled to succeed and often developed anxiety and depression as a result. This is exactly what happened to Kim, and it wasn’t until she was homeschooling her own children during the pandemic that she made the connection: Perhaps the cause of her mental health issues was undiagnosed ADD. But it’s been much more challenging than you might expect for Kim to receive the appropriate treatment. On this episode of Tell Me More, Kim joins me to explain how she was diagnosed with depress…

As the drummer in a popular band, Jeff has been playing music and performing for audiences of thousands for many years. But at the end of 2020, he started experiencing symptoms of dizziness and a feel…

As the drummer in a …

As the drummer in a popular band, Jeff has been playing music and performing for audiences of thousands for many years. But at the end of 2020, he started experiencing symptoms of dizziness and a feeling of heaviness in his upper body during shows. Jeff relied on kinesthetic memory to play the drums, while he focused on not fainting. And despite the best efforts of his primary care doctor, a GI specialist, a gallbladder surgeon and the team at his local ER, Jeff still didn’t have answers two years later! On this episode of Tell Me More, Jeff shares his frustrating two-year journey to find…

For most of my adult life, I had no relationship with alcohol whatsoever. And then, in 2016, I discovered a love of bourbon and started enjoying an old fashioned when I was out with family and friends…

For most of my adult…

For most of my adult life, I had no relationship with alcohol whatsoever. And then, in 2016, I discovered a love of bourbon and started enjoying an old fashioned when I was out with family and friends. But then the pandemic hit, and I started having a regular cocktail at home to cope with the Stress. I was only drinking one adult beverage, but I was drinking every night. Fast forward to three months ago when a patient I’ve known for a long time expressed worry that I was drinking too much. I was stunned. And angry. Nevertheless, her comments inspired me to reflect on my habits and take a 30-…

Kathy’s problems began in 2011 with a cold that wouldn’t go away. She was initially diagnosed with bronchiectasis, and after seeing a local specialist, Kathy discovered she had mycobacterium avium…

Kathy’s problems b…

Kathy’s problems began in 2011 with a cold that wouldn’t go away. She was initially diagnosed with bronchiectasis, and after seeing a local specialist, Kathy discovered she had mycobacterium avium complex or MAC as well. But the cocktail of antibiotics she was taking didn’t stop her nagging cough or keep her from getting sick on a regular basis. And then she started seeing blood in her sputum.  Why did it take 10 years for Kathy to start feeling good again? How did she finally get the help she needed? On this episode of Tell Me More, Kathy joins me to share her decade-long journey th…

What makes for a good doctor-patient relationship? Yes, we want a doctor who has excellent control of our disease. Someone who diagnoses us correctly and gets us to a point where we’re pain-free. Bu…

What makes for a goo…

What makes for a good doctor-patient relationship? Yes, we want a doctor who has excellent control of our disease. Someone who diagnoses us correctly and gets us to a point where we’re pain-free. But for a patient living with a challenging condition like rheumatoid arthritis, it’s important to consider quality of life. To find out what matters most to them and develop a treatment plan accordingly. Nora was an active, athletic, 35-year-old who’d just gotten married when she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. And she had to see more than one rheumatologist before she found a partner …

When Leslie was diagnosed with thyroid Cancer, her oncologist said, “This is the best cancer you can get.” And while she understands in hindsight that he meant to put her at ease, in the moment, L…

When Leslie was diag…

When Leslie was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, her oncologist said, “This is the best cancer you can get.” And while she understands in hindsight that he meant to put her at ease, in the moment, Leslie resented his delivery and wondered if he really cared. Was he taking her situation lightly? How could any cancer be considered good? On this episode of Tell Me More, Leslie describes the feeling of heat in her throat that persisted for four years before she was finally diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Leslie explains what inspired her to ask for a third neck ultrasound though her doctor dee…

A few weeks ago, I sent in a prescription for an opioid medication for a longtime patient of mine. And when the pharmacist called and left a message, I immediately got angry.   Why was he questioning…

A few weeks ago, I s…

A few weeks ago, I sent in a prescription for an opioid medication for a longtime patient of mine. And when the pharmacist called and left a message, I immediately got angry.   Why was he questioning my authority?   As a result, I went into the conversation ready for a fight. And I’m not proud of the way I treated the pharmacist—who was simply trying to do better by my patient.   Dr. Melissa Turner, PharmD, knows what it’s like to interact with rude doctors. She spent eight years working as a Retail pharmacist at CVS Health before Burnout drove her away.   Today, Dr. Turner runs Tar…

Emily was married at 22 and went off birth control. And while she wasn’t actively trying to get pregnant, she was not NOT trying. But after three years, nothing had happened. She brought it up with …

Emily was married at…

Emily was married at 22 and went off birth control. And while she wasn’t actively trying to get pregnant, she was not NOT trying. But after three years, nothing had happened. She brought it up with her PCP and OBGYN, who both said, ‘Well, you’re still young…’ So, it wasn’t until Emily was 30 years old and seeking help from a fertility specialist that she found out her thyroid levels were off. And within two months of going on Synthroid, Emily was pregnant. On this episode of Tell Me More, Emily explains why it took eight years to get a diagnosis of hypothyroidism and ten years t…

When Pam’s dad was diagnosed with tongue cancer 13 years ago, she made it her mission to find him the best possible care. So, after a consult with a local surgeon, Pam made appointments for a second…

When Pam’s dad was…

When Pam’s dad was diagnosed with tongue cancer 13 years ago, she made it her mission to find him the best possible care. So, after a consult with a local surgeon, Pam made appointments for a second and third opinion with university-level providers within driving distance. What was their experience navigating big-name surgeons and oncologists at well-known university hospitals? Did such accomplished doctors come with outsized egos? On this episode of Tell Me More, Pam describes the mistake a top surgeon made in speaking to statistics without addressing her dad’s particular case and expl…

Doctors trained in the West often resist nontraditional treatment modalities and focus on prescribing pharmaceuticals, citing data to back up our decisions. But medication is not the answer for every …

Doctors trained in t…

Doctors trained in the West often resist nontraditional treatment modalities and focus on prescribing pharmaceuticals, citing data to back up our decisions. But medication is not the answer for every patient, and many are interested in exploring natural treatments to manage their health. So, what if it doesn’t have to be an either/or? What if medical professionals were open to offering patients a holistic treatment plan that combines natural therapies with prescription medication when necessary?  Dr. Asha Pai Bohannon, PharmD, CDCES, CPT, is the founder of PAI Wellness Group, a holistic we…

When people are struggling with their mental health, they tend to bring it up with their primary care doctor first. And while I love that my patients feel comfortable bringing these issues to me, I do…

When people are stru…

When people are struggling with their mental health, they tend to bring it up with their primary care doctor first. And while I love that my patients feel comfortable bringing these issues to me, I don’t always feel like I have the time or expertise to facilitate a really good conversation and address their concerns effectively. So, more often than not, I end up writing a prescription. What can PCPs do to engage in better conversations with patients about their symptoms of anxiety and depression? How can we work with psychiatrists to support patients around their mental health? Shelby Riley …