Author’s note: Yes, my new business does pertain partly to the menopausal journey and beyond – especially the beyond part – but I am also excited to announce it will be much more expansive and will include so much more. Please enjoy a “behind the scenes” peek at my journey…part of which is soon coming to an end, and part of which is just getting started!
I saw my last patient April 13, 2021 – via Telemedicine.
I had worked full time as a Primary Care Physician in Internal Medicine for the past 25 years in one organization. I was an owner, a shareholder. I was a valued colleague.
I treated my staff as family. I rarely took time off. I cherished my patients – well, most of them.
I cultivated my inner entrepreneurial spirit within my medical practice. I ran a “concierge light” program for the last 18 years – Partnership in Health. I ran a weight management and wellness program for 7 years – Menu for Change. I organized a holistic care program.
As the years passed I also learned to be a box-checker. I responded to quality metrics and organizational goals. I mastered coding and compliance rules. I was the Queen of Telemedicine. I brought in money.
I brought in money.
At some point in time most physicians look back and recall what it meant to start working as a physician after countless years of training. In my case, 13 years after completing high school. 13 years just to start day one!
Primum non nocere – first, do no harm. Every treatment can also potentially cause harm.
I had three years of Latin in high school and college. I had many years of French and German. I studied architecture and urban planning as my major before medical school. I love art and nature. I love food. I love my family.
Primum non nocere.
This has always applied to patient care – do no harm to patients. But, could it also apply to physicians too? I actually had never once considered that.
Until now.
Physicians’ souls were being harmed – are being harmed – long before COVID. COVID just made it worse.
In an era where crowd-sourcing information about everything is now the norm – including medical and health information – timely access to evidence-based and personalized medical advice is rapidly becoming more important than ever.
Access to a knowledgeable and caring physician is getting exceedingly more difficult due to corporate and insurance hurdles, to name just a few barriers beyond the control of most patients.
And, once you actually get in – often after a prolonged wait on the order of weeks or months – having a meaningful connection with a physician that is not rushed and during which you are actually carefully listened to is, sadly, not guaranteed.
Patients – long since seen as consumers – are processed based on insurance and coding rules and corporate box-check metrics. They are pressured with after visit surveys akin to rating a kitchen appliance. They often end up lost in a sea of revolving door medical staff who do not even know their names.
The legendary and trusted doctor-patient relationship is almost extinct. The corporatization of health care – a term that is rapidly erasing medical care – has pushed the replacement word “provider” which levels all encounters such that it can be almost impossible for patients to determine who is actually caring for them and if they have any training or experience.
Primum non nocere.
What a refreshing experience it has been to walk away from it all!
My creative juices and ideas are flowing once again. I feel 10 years younger. I feel 20 pounds lighter – that one is actually true.
My MenopauseMenu website – a passion project launched in 2020 – continues to be a free resource for all, and I continue spreading my wings as I collaborate with others in different states and in different countries.
I have the wisdom of 25 intense years of experience as a physician and I am now rolling up my sleeves to get going with a new vision of care. I will continue to serve patients – clients – but in a manner different than before.
- I will serve as a guide at times when further input is needed.
- I will contribute my expertise to address various medical pathways requiring a higher level of focus and care, going beyond what a 10-15 minute typical office visit provides.
- I will strive to maintain my special bond with the human side of medical care, but in a virtual manner.
- I will be an ally to my specialty colleagues.
- I will serve as a referral resource.
I will advocate.
I am truly honored to have so many wonderful people on this journey with me. Patients, clients, colleagues – friends. This new chapter is already nourishing my soul.
I am ready to help – you!
~ Susan J. Baumgaertel, MD FACP
Postscript:
Fingers crossed, I plan to open my virtual doors on February 14, 2022. Please welcome Parapluie Partners, LLC dba myMDadvocate – website coming soon!
