Recently one of my
patients played the race card and said Black physicians were
incompetent. Unfortunately, I am told that a lot of Black folk feel
that way about African American physicians. Recently, research was
done at the Mayo Clinic addressing what patients feel make a good
physician, black or white. Here are a few characteristics that are
important to patients. A good physician is thorough. He or she must
“Leave no stone unturned,” when it comes to finding out the problem.
Good physicians are compassionate, personal, forthright, and
respectful. They give personal attention to their patients. Now
there is a new term called “Clue Information” that has been used to
describe good physicians. Clue informative physicians provide
detailed explanations, follow up in a timely fashion with patients
and other physicians, and express to patients a desire to consult
with other clinicians about their medical problems. I hope you have
a good physician.
30 Years
Ago Today
On May 19, 2006 I had
the pleasure to witness the 177th commencement at MUSC. It was 30
years ago (May, 1976) that I graduated from MUSC. I have a
perspective that few folk have. I graduated with 4 other African
Americans males. I am happy to report that we all are doing very
well in our chosen discipline of medicine. When we graduated we knew
and recognized what is now being referred to as health disparities.
As young physicians we knew far too well the bad state of affairs of
health for African Americans in Charleston, but we did not know that
the entire State, as well as the nation, had “health disparities.”
We have discussed far too many times the plight of Black people and
health care, which often times discouraged us, but we had no
objective way of proving what research now validates as health
disparities. We knew what we saw was not right. 30 years later the
health disparities outlook looks no better than it did in 1976. As
the commencement speaker Lindsey Graham pointed out to the most
recent graduates, South Carolina continues to be at the bottom in
terms of health care for all citizens. This year eight African
Americans graduated from the college of medicine, 5 women and 3 men.
I wonder what tomorrow will look like. I wish I could be around for
the next 30 years.
Commitment
to Lose Weight
If you are wondering
if African American females are successful when implementing an
exercise and diet program then look no further. Two Ladies in my
practice took the recommendations that I gave them and have been
very successful in losing weight. Each lady has lost 14 lbs and has
gained a sense of self-confidence. The common denominator in both of
these cases is commitment. They have the determination to stick to
their new, healthier lifestyles. Research indicates that weight
reduction decreases the ageing process in both men and women. Weight
reduction and regular exercise also increase the HDL (good
cholesterol) and decrease the LDL (bad cholesterol). For those who
have started a complete fitness program, remember that
cardiovascular training should be done before weight lifting.
Research shows that one burns more calories for a longer period of
time if cardio is done before weight lifting. Take care of yourself.
