On this episode of The Pursuit of Health Podcast Dr. Fethke is joined by a remarkable frontline colleague from the medical field of Obstetrics, Dr. Daniel Perkes. Dr. Perkes takes us through two decades of change and turmoil during which he remarkably remained focused on maintaining strong professional relationships with his patients. He emphasizes that such alliances with his patients were the backbone to his career that allowed him to navigate through all the shifts in healthcare from a private practice to corporate medicine. He shares some pearls of wisdom with us on how he was able to sustain such a remarkable following from his patients through his entire over two decades of practicing.
Despite many of the initial challenges, Dr Perkes gives us some hope that larger medical practices can still maintain a patient focus if their leadership ensures open communications with their frontline physicians and seeks regular patient feedback.
In a timely manner, Dr. Perkes addresses his concerns regarding the potential effects of legislative changes should Roe v. Wade be overturned. In a field already experiencing significant strains and cutbacks in access throughout many parts of the country, he worries that the situation will only get worse for women unless people advocate for women’s rights and their ability to seek medical advice from the doctors that they trust. He stresses that he is not a “Pro Choice” or a “Pro Life” physician, but rather has always been a “Pro Patient” doctor. This has allowed him to tailor his medical care to the specifics of each patient, rather than taking a blanket one-size-fits-all approach.
Dr. Perkes finishes this valuable discussion with advice and hope for future obstetricians. Though it has not always been easy, he emphasizes, “Knowing the challenges facing young obstetricians today, I would still do it all over again”.
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