It’s that time again…time to be enlightened and pleasantly surprised by another one of our
amazing team. What a creative and unexpectedly deeply caring team we have at Shariff
Medical Group.
That’s right people: today we are learning about not just Primary Care- but of Internal
Medicine as well (and there is a difference between the two as you will learn with me).
I recently sat down with Dr. Noman Thanwy for a question-and-answer session that
intrigued me to the core. Some of the answers I received were so darn humble, yet very
compelling and that speaks volumes to the quality of care his patients receive.
Prepared questions were moved around to get the conversation flowing; so, pick a good
reading nook and settle back for simple yet deep logic about a regular doctor visit…
We started with ‘what is the best way to come prepared to the doctor’s office when you are
a patient?’ The response was pure common sense-write down your questions. Keep in
mind not too overwhelm the doctor with twenty concerns ( they can only resolve so much
in one session!) but ‘help them to help you’. And one of the smartest, and albeit most
helpful things you can do is to actually bring your medications with you. Let them be
current as to everything you are taking, even if from other doctors. ‘ quite important to have
a current medication list, kept in your chart. Expect eye contact (!!!) What a humanizing
thing for a doctor to do-look at the patient and be open to listening. Is it really that
unexpected? Sadly, yes from what I hear, but here we pride ourselves on that connection.
And when you leave, feel understood, heard and seen. So simple but so powerful.
That naturally led into :what are the three essential qualities of healthcare? Again,
simplicity in the answer, but what a thoughtful common-sense answer. 1) Access to
healthcare. Not just having it be available but being able to get to the appointments. 2)
Quality healthcare. That should go without saying but in this day and age, it is not always
the norm to expect that. It is all the elements we described above, and humanizing the
experience.3) Accuity in healthcare. Yep, not just quality but measured and correct care.
Not just a band aid to solve the ongoing problems, but a careful and thoughtful approach to
solving the root of the problem when you can and treating the issue for maintenance when
you can’t.
Annual wellness visits matter because: pay attention here. AWV s matter because they are
a preventative measure, a screening and a review of social documents that touch on
comprehensive matters that affect your future. It is a time to check in and go over needed
paperwork like power of attorney, healthcare directives when you cannot decide on your
own and things like that. All important stuff to be prepared for what is to come in our lives,
potentially.
Now to things that make you go hmmm. Primary care is a generalized term for your ‘regular’
doctor. Internal medicine is the training most specialists have to start with to go on in to
their niche fields. Board training comes with internal medicine as does recertification every
few years. Urgent care is primary care with a necessity for quick time response. All of these
Terms are similar yet different when under a lens for review. Yet, all require documentation,
careful consideration to cross all T’s and dot all I’s.
And personal bias plays no role in a doctor’s care. For the majority, this is great news. This
means a doctor leaves any prejudice or judgment aside and focuses on you the patient and
provides excellent healthcare.
Standard questions but above par answers that truly reflect what a real doctor
encompasses and just is. I can tell you; I was smiling throughout this well-crafted session
because I was talking to a person who cares deeply about what he does. I understood the
commitment and the drive by the simple remarks.
Speaking of preventative measures and leaving biases aside. Flu shots, covid boosters,
shingles vaccines are all important healthcare actions we should take. A good doctor can
explain the pros and cons of such things but as we live in a global world, we have to take
personal responsibility to not only safeguard ourselves but all others we come into contact
with. These measures save lives and so much social media information out there is a
misunderstanding waiting to happen. Side effects are minimal, usually and the benefits
well outweigh the risks.
So having said all of this, I was curious as to why someone would still want to enter this
field. Inquiring minds do want to know… And again, the simple but heartfelt response was;
a love for medicine, the challenge of solving complex problems and the satisfaction of
being able to make a difference. !!! amazing answers that make you feel a spark of hope
that the world continues to be a good place at times. The level of trust between two partiesdoctor and patient -is also rewarding. Big gestures for individuals seemed to sum it up
nicely. A doctor matters. Your health matters.
This segued into talking about the old wive’s tale of an apple a day keeps the doctor away.
Silly yet not silly. An apple represents quality nutrition and eating well is the best
preventative measure one can take to ward off extra office visits to your doctor. And
ultimately , it’s like taking medicine to stay healthy-not to NOT be sick.
I finally wrapped up this engaging exchange with please give me the first word that pops
into your head when I say ‘health’ and the good doctor paused but then said ‘exercise’.
So, exercise and eating right were big takeaways for me-and eye contact from my doctor.
And leaving as a fully seen person with concerns but knowing I have an oasis of care
waiting for me when I need it. This was a good thing to hear on a Friday, and I was thankful
to Dr. Thanwy for his candor and genuineness.