Dr. Kathy Maupin and Brett Newcomb discuss the process that potential patients can expect when considering whether or not bioidentical hormone treatment is the correct course of action. Dr. Maupin discusses her considerations for prospective patients.
This week, Brett Newcomb and I are talking about real patients who come to my practice. We discuss the preconceptions they have and the medical concerns that bring them to my office. Sometimes they come to me with skepticism because their primary physicians are doubtful of what I do and whether or not it works.
As a doctor, I need to be able to answer the questions that my patients have and incorporate them into the medical decision-making process. I care deeply about the importance of professionalism and the ethical practice of medicine, as well as the necessity of treating my patients well. In part, that means that I follow the standards of the profession in the assessment of medical conditions and the interventions I recommend. I have a duty to inform my patient of options and my understanding of consequences whether or not they choose to follow my recommendations. I want my patients to be informed medical consumers.
Let me be clear, I do not treat everyone who comes to my office. Not everyone is a good candidate for hormone replacement with bioidentical pellets. Sometimes they don’t have the symptoms that identify that need. Sometimes they have other medical issues and concerns. Sometimes they have overriding or emergent concerns that must be dealt with first before hormone replacement is appropriate. Many patients often are only interested in part of what I am recommending.
In my practice, however, I look at the whole patient. I want to know their medical conditions, their history and treatment patterns, their life style (drinking, stress, work habits, eating habits, etc). All of these items factor into making the right treatment decisions. In order to achieve this goal, I have a series of tests and introductory forms that I have the patient submit prior to their first visit. Then, I meet with them and review their concerns, discuss their expectations, and answer their questions. Through this process, I hope to assess their health and to decide whether or not I would recommend hormone replacement therapy. I also try and assess whether or not I would also recommend a weight loss program to work in tandem with the treatment, if they need to reduce their alcohol consumption, or if they need an exercise program to compliment their health care to maximize their benefit and gain the expected results.
Listen to this week’s podcast to discover what the process is and to understand the concern and care that we take with all applicants for treatment, even if we ultimately refer these patients for other treatment from other doctors. Hopefully you will find answers to your questions as to whether or not bioidentical hormones might be in your future.
