Tell Me More

Tell Me More: Better Conversations in Healthcare - Trailer

“My doctor doesn’t listen”. Miscommunication between patients and their healthcare team can have a tremendous impact on patient trust AND their health. With 20 years of practice, Dr. Christine Meyer has had thousands of conversations with patients-not all of them great. Join us as we explore the keys to restoring patient trust, creating a better patient experience, and improving healthcare outcomes simply by having better conversations.

When Testing Gets in the Way

When a patient comes to me with complicated symptoms, I typically order a series of tests to arrive at a diagnosis. But what happens if those tests all come back normal? There are conditions that can’t be identified by CAT scans, blood tests or ultrasounds. And sometimes testing only adds to a patient’s anxiety and makes them feel worse. So, how do you decide when testing is necessary and when it isn’t? On this inaugural episode of Tell Me More, I sit down with my pediatrician husband, Christopher, to discuss how his approach to testing differs from mine and why testing children often does more harm than good. We explain why American doctors tend to over-rely on tests, and I share a case study of a patient whose tubal ligation post ablation syndrome couldn’t be diagnosed with a CAT scan, ultrasound or lab work. Listen in to understand how poor communication leads to patient mistrust and learn how to diagnose patients and communicate clearly—without over-relying on tests. Key Takeaways How my pediatrician husband Christopher’s testing philosophy differs from mine The question Christopher asks before ordering a test for a patient Why doctors in India look down on American physicians for our overreliance on tests How my patient with tubal ligation post ablation syndrome couldn’t be diagnosed through testing Why testing in children often does more harm than good An example of a young leukemia patient who could have been diagnosed sooner with lab work Why doctors tend to write off patients when their tests come back normal How power of suggestion makes us believe a problem is much worse How a doctor’s inability to communicate leads to patient frustration and mistrust The power in showing confidence and humility in communication with patients Connect with Dr. Meyer Dr. Meyer’s Website Dr. Meyer on Facebook Dr. Meyer on Twitter Dr. Meyer on LinkedIn Email: christine@christinemeyermd.com Resources Atul Gawande

"It's a familial digestive problem!" Nope. It was hypothyroidism

For many years, Keri suffered from debilitating gastrointestinal issues, fatigue, weight fluctuation, and depression before she was finally diagnosed with hypothyroidism. And she has had more than her fair share of conversations with doctors. How did the experience improve once Keri felt heard? How did effective communication impact her health? And what does effective doctor-patient communication look like? On this episode of Tell Me More, Keri joins me to describe the mental and physical symptoms of hypothyroidism and discuss how long it took to get an accurate diagnosis. Keri explains the power in building trust with your healthcare team and shares her maddening experience with a doctor who discounted how she felt because her numbers were “normal.” Listen in for Keri’s advice to listeners who think they might have hypothyroidism and learn why doctors can’t rely on data alone to treat human beings. Key Takeaways How long Keri suffered from GI issues before she was diagnosed with hypothyroidism Keri’s experience with a doctor who discounted how she felt because her numbers were “normal” How Keri’s fatigue, GI issues, weight gain and depression were symptoms of hypothyroidism How often Keri checks her TSH, T3 and T4 to make sure they’re in the range she feels best The power in finding a doctor who makes you feel heard Why asking open-ended questions facilitates more effective communication with patients The frustration of retelling your story over and over to new doctors (especially with a chronic condition) How hypothyroidism impacts your mental health Keri’s advice for listeners who think they might have hypothyroidism Connect with Dr. Meyer Dr. Meyer’s Website Dr. Meyer on Facebook Dr. Meyer on Twitter Dr. Meyer on LinkedIn Email christine@christinemeyermd.com

Arrogance in Medicine: Is It Ever Ok?

Danielle doesn’t feel like a medical miracle. But after experiencing a stroke at the age of 33, being misdiagnosed for several months and enduring complications from brain surgery, her health journey is truly extraordinary. Unfortunately, Danielle and her husband Stan had a number of difficult conversations with the not-so-sympathetic specialists who treated her along the way. What were those conversations like? Should we tolerate a certain amount of arrogance from medical professionals at the top of their field? And what is the best way to approach healthcare conversations when your life is at stake?  On this episode of Tell Me More, Danielle joins me to explain why her husband, Stan questioned her initial diagnosis of AVM and walk us through her interactions with the three high-profile neurosurgeons she went to for a second opinion.  Danielle describes how she learned that she had been misdiagnosed and was still in danger, sharing her experience with surgery to fix the irregular connection in her brain and why she didn’t love her doctor’s bedside manner—but trusted his confidence. Listen in to understand why it’s crucial to have an advocate when your health is compromised and learn to listen to your gut in challenging conversations with healthcare providers. Key Takeaways Danielle’s experience of having a stroke as a 33-year-old mom Why Danielle’s husband Stan questioned her initial diagnosis of AVM How the neurosurgeon reacted to a request for a second opinion Danielle’s interactions with the 3 high-profile specialists her husband sought out How Danielle learned she had been misdiagnosed How the vascular neurosurgeon delivered the news that Danielle was still in danger Why we tolerate arrogance in a physician when paired with skill How Danielle was blindsided by the possibility of needing a craniotomy The relationship between a positive attitude and a positive health outcome How Danielle’s doctor reacted to her complications from surgery Danielle’s advice on listening to your gut when talking to healthcare providers Why it’s crucial to have an advocate if your health is compromised Connect with Dr. Meyer Dr. Meyer’s Website Dr. Meyer on Facebook Dr. Meyer on Twitter Dr. Meyer on LinkedIn Email christine@christinemeyermd.com

It's All In Your Head: Navigating the Mental Health Conversation.

A lot of us feel a little blue during the holiday season. But for some, that blueness is much more significant. It can be a medical diagnosis of clinical depression or anxiety that disrupts their lives.  And as good as medicine has gotten over the years, we still do a pretty rotten job when it comes to talking to patients about their mental health. There's this stigma that if life is pretty good, and you have a lot going for you, you should just be able to pick yourself up by the bootstraps. So, how can clinicians broach the subject of mental health with patients who may need support? And how do you start a conversation with your doctor if you happen to be struggling? On this episode of Tell Me More, I introduce you to a patient of mine named Amy who describes the physical symptoms she’s experienced off and on since college and discusses how she was finally diagnosed with anxiety and seasonal depression. We explore why it’s crucial for clinicians to be open to feedback if medication isn’t working, and Amy explains what she did beyond taking citalopram to engage in self-care and improve her mental health.  Listen in for Amy’s advice to clinicians on being compassionate to patients with mental health issues and learn how to open up to your doctor to improve your mental wellness and enhance your quality of life! Key Takeaways How Amy experienced mental health symptoms in college but didn’t understand the diagnosis Why it’s crucial for clinicians to show their work and explain the why behind a treatment Amy’s physical symptoms of brain fog, exhaustion, IBS and a short fuse How Amy was finally diagnosed with anxiety and seasonal depression (and how those conditions manifest differently in different seasons of life) What Amy did to improve her mental health beyond taking medication Amy’s willingness to share her mental health challenges with others How having a full serotonin bucket gives Amy the mental clarity to pause before she reacts Amy’s advice to clinicians on how to speak to patients with mental health issues What drove Amy’s decision to stop taking her medication (and how she felt when she had to start again) Amy’s advice for listeners on how to talk to clinicians about your mental health Why it’s crucial for clinicians to be open to feedback if the first prescription isn’t working Connect with Dr. Meyer Dr. Meyer’s Website Dr. Meyer on Facebook Dr. Meyer on Twitter Dr. Meyer on LinkedIn Email christine@christinemeyermd.com