Hi (micah6vs8),

Firstly, I appreciate your candor. And I always reciprocate the same for my patients. I tell everyone - I’m a doctor first, businessman second. After having climbed the corporate ladder to the top, I decided to quit to do what I believe in doing. So DPC is something I believe in very strongly—a path I believe I’m meant to follow.

And I also don’t judge my patients. We all have a right to make a choice - as a patient in terms of where you get care and as a doctor in terms of how I wish to practice. So I always appreciate candor and honesty. That’s what solid relationships are built on.

As for COVID vaccine - I leave it up to my patients as I do all vaccines. I do not require them. I personally have had COVID first hand along with my whole family so I’ve seen it. I strongly recommend it to avoid the risk but also acknowledge that as a vaccine under EUA, it leaves questions, many of which I also had in the beginning. It’s all risk benefit and we each have to believe that the benefit outweighs the risks to proceed with something.

As for masks, I do generally follow CDC guidance and they are required in my office during patient care times. There is data that shows it could help. So I have decided to follow the premise that the risk of wearing a mask in the office is low (especially in medicine we do it a lot) and there could be some benefit so until data shows more clearly what the path should be, I do require it. Do I find it annoying? Absolutely. I will say anecdotally, it’s been interesting to see the surge of URIs and other bugs that we didn’t see much at all suddenly go up after the mask mandate went down. Whether that is just socializing or actual masks is to be determined. So long story short, as of now, masks are required in my office.

As for treating COVID, a lot of unknowns. Ivermectin is used experimentally in many cases and in some countries such as in India they are using it more mainstream. Obviously most of COVID is symptomatic treatment and guidance varies in each country. At this point I’m not sure the data is convincing enough for me to prescribe Ivermectin for COVID. So long story short, should that situation arise, I would likely consult with individuals to decide what path is best. So this is to be honest that I can’t promise willingness to prescribe certain things without enough supporting data. I’ve been asked about my stance on similar things such as metformin or rapamycin for longevity and generally my answer has been that it’s not a use case I’m as familiar with so unless data shows strongly that it should be done, I am very intentional and cautious about prescribing.

As far as some genetic questions I do offer Proactive Genetic Testing through Invitae as well as Pharmacogenetic testing so I’m all about personalized health care. That being said a lot of companies have products with claims that aren’t necessarily validated where they talk about measuring the biological clock etc which I’m always wary of as well.

I hope this answered questions. I look forward to chatting on Monday. At the end of the day, I believe a doctor patient relationship is all about fit. If it’s a good fit mutually, we move forward. If it’s not, then that’s okay too. I’m in a point in my career that I don’t convince anyone to join my practice. It’s out there… and we are a good team, then that’s cool.

Let me know if you have further questions or if any of this didn’t make sense?

Thanks!
Dr. ____

>>> This is more communication, in a detailed, timely, and clear manner then I have had with my Primary Care doctor over many years. I will share what happens on Monday with this forum and in my own forum.

>>>> If you have been following my saga this week, my old corporate primary care provider never responded to the email I sent her on Monday. Her secretary instead just emailed me with an appointment for Friday that I did not ask for and can not go to. I like her, but the system she works in is f'ed.