The Power of Personalized Care

The pendulum often swings both ways when we’re bombarded with healthcare news, much of it conflicting. Patients are left wondering: Should I take “this” or “that”? And if I do, what are the ramifications? And if I don’t, what then?

A wealth of accurate information can empower patients, but doctors ask: Is it TMI—too much information? And how do we guide the patient away from content—on the Internet or otherwise—that could be harmful?

Consider recent news from the British Medical Journal in which the authors warn that calcium and vitamin D supplements taken by women may increase cardiovascular risk.

About Face

For years, physicians have advised women—and some men, too—to take calcium, since it’s believed most adults don’t get enough in their diets. Menopausal and post-menopausal women, especially, keep calcium in their arsenal to help prevent osteoporosis, or even mild osteopenia—which indicates lower bone density.

A physician with 2,500 to 3,000 patients on his roster understandably finds it difficult to stay on top of every person’s medication and supplementation regimen. In the concierge medicine model, such as that provided by SignatureMD, appointments aren’t so rushed and physicians don’t operate on patient overload. A SignatureMD patient and his or her doctor can discuss the calcium and vitamin D study and others, and arrive at a rational decision, based upon that patient’s personalized healthcare needs. That’s the sign of a great relationship.
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