An Introduction to Your Chief Medical Officer

As most of my colleagues, I went into medicine because I want to make a difference in people’s lives, and derive a deep sense of fulfillment trying to help them. But as I look around and talk to my peers, the thoughtful and caring communication between a patient and his/her doctor is increasingly threatened, and practicing medicine has become frustrating.

There are many reasons for that. Medical knowledge is exploding, making it difficult for physicians to stay on top of all the new guidelines and recommendations. Insurance companies require more and more paperwork. New technology and medications have made healthcare very expensive, and physicians need to see more patients per day for their practices to be financially viable.

As if it wasn’t frightening enough to be sick, the process of getting care has turned into a complicated and confusing one for patients. The physicians and staff at Torrance Hospital IPA are aware of these concerns.

I decided to cut back my full-time practice in pediatric oncology (childhood cancer specialist) because I was worried about what was happening to the practice of medicine. And while I cannot change the healthcare system, I will try to make as much of a positive impact on THIPA and its members as I possibly can.

My goals are to put the caring back into the patient- physician interaction, to continue to improve the quality of healthcare you receive, and to put satisfaction back into the practices of the physicians we represent. To achieve this I have sought advice from the experts: you and my colleagues, the physicians.

As the Chief Medical Officer of THIPA, I would like to:

• Improve physician access to, and use of, the latest treatment guidelines.
• Decrease the use of unnecessary and potentially harmful tests.
• Make it easier for you to understand all of the benefits available to you as a THIPA member.
• Most important, improve the communication between physicians, patients and THIPA.

You will be glad to know that we are working on all of these items. The THIPA website will be completely upgraded in the next two to three months. When we are finished you will find easy to access information on THIPA doctors and benefits, plus important healthcare news such as updates on swine flu.

You will also have the opportunity to ask questions that will be answered in a special column in this newsletter. Please participate in making your healthcare what it should be: a humane and scientifically cutting-edge experience. I welcome your suggestions. Please share any thoughts by emailing me at medicaldirector@thipa.com.