Have you had the experience of one doctor passing you off to another, and that one to another, and no one really wanting to “own” you as a patient? For a while I have felt I was the ball in a game of ping pong between my general practitioner and a specialist, each telling me to see the other. Currently, as new issues develop, I have become a “hot potato.” My question is, what do you do to get doctors to listen and stop passing the buck?

I am looking for suggestions beyond basics of talking to doctors. One thing I am finding helpful lately is to pray earnestly and specifically for the appointment and the agenda to discuss with that doctor. I am at least finding each appointment a little less frustrating, and maybe a little more helpful.

Marianne

Hi, Marianne. Yes, this can be very frustrating and I think most patients have felt this way at one time or another. My suggestions would be to try the following:

1. Call the local organizations for your illness and ask them if they have a list of recommended specialists. If they don’t you may tell them, “I know you cannot recommend anyone, but off the record, do you hear good things about a specific doctor who’s name you could pass along to me? Do you know of anyone I could ask?” Also, ask online friends in your area who have your same illness if they have some suggestions.
2. Ask others in the medical field who they would recommend, such as any surgeons you see, physical therapists, counselors, nutritionists, etc.
3. Consider if gender makes a difference to you. For over 10 years, both my specialist and general doctor were women. I would gladly see a male physician, and have, but overall, I need someone who will listen well, multi-task, and not seem overwhelmed by side effects.
4. For a general practitioner, ask anyone you respect who has had any kind of medical condition if she or he would mind sharing the name of their physician. Since my diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, I’ve always had doctors of internal medicine as my general practitioners. You may also want to ask around your church and see if there is anyone in the medical profession who may be able to give you the name of a recommended physician.
5. When you call for your first appointment, explain that you would like at least 30 minutes to explain your condition and ask some questions about how the doctor prefers to work with patients who have a chronic condition, when a specialist is also involved. There are doctor who love challenging patients and thrive on figuring out odd symptoms; other doctors do not or do not have the time. Look for doctors who enjoy the challenge.
6. If the doctor you are interested in seeing has a web site, read as much as you can about him in advance. Also, Google his name and look on review sites such as Yelp.
7. Ask your new doctor where they want to fall in your hierarchy of your medical team. For instance, when I got a new rheumatologist last year, I asked him if he wanted me to come to him with symptoms that were obvious side effects of the medications (like basic infections, coughs, yeast infections, etc.) and he said yes.
8. Do your best as a patient to help the doctors communicate. When you have lab tests ordered by one doctor, have them fax results to other doctors. If you have an MRI or eye exam, etc. what other doctors on your medical team would find this information helpful?
9. Ask yourself if you want to try alternative treatments or may wish to in the future. It’s best to not hide this from your specialist, so if it’s important to you, you need a doctor who will support your endeavors to treat yourself for certain things.
10. If you have either a general practitioner you like or a specialist ask them for a referral to the other kind of doctor. Who do they like to work with? This can be very helpful if the doctors already have established a working relationship and if you have a specific illness, doctors have a preference many times for other specialists who understand your disease. For example, my rheumatologist likes to send me to an eye specialist who understands rheumatoid arthritis and how it affects the eyes.
11. Ask each doctor some specific questions and then go over the answers with the other one so there is clear communication. Such as “If I get a cold or sore throat, etc. which doctor should I see? If I have side effects that need treatment, should I go to the doctor who prescribed the medication or …?” If I have an emergency with ____ who should I contact at 3 AM? If I have a _____ issue, would you prefer I go to the ER or Urgent Care? What information should I have with me when I go? Can the doctors there contact you?
12. When one doctor prescribes you medication, especially that which are pain killers, let the other doctor know so it never appears you are hoarding medications.
13. Be a “good patient.” There will be times when you must challenge a doctor’s opinion, but if you really like the doctor and wish to keep him or her, reasonably consider the doctor’s requests. If you frequently cancel appointments, arrive late, delay getting your lab tests done, etc. the doctor will be much less likely to help you or keep you as a patient.
14. Do your best to write down a list of things you wish to speak to the doctor about in order of priority. Tell the doctor, “I have 4 questions today, so would it be okay, if I tell you what they are and then if we run out of time, you could call me back on the last one?”
15. Communicate your needs. For example, if you often bring a caregiver, friend, or spouse with you, is the doctor comfortable with this?
16. Consider if this doctor is best for your needs now. I have found that I need a different rheumatologist for my thirties than I did in my twenties, and when I hit my forties it was also time to start looking around.
17. You mentioned prayer. Yes! Finding, visiting, and keeping a doctor can all be very stressful. Ask friends to pray for your to be led to the right team of medical specialists to meet your needs. Remember to send a thank you card to your doctors now and then or bring in a goodie unexpectedly. Before your appointment, pray for a sense of calmness, and yet also discernment and wisdom to know when to speak up.

I have had a good medical team for some time now, but I’ve also had my share of doctors who have not particularly liked me. At wound care, I had one doctor who casually said they would “just take a little piece of bone out of my ankle and. . . ”

At this point, I said, “With all due respect, I understand you are doing your job. But with rheumatoid arthritis that could disable my ankle for good. Dr. Y is my rheumatologist, and I won’t be having any procedures done until you run them past her, she approves them, and I have an opportunity to talk with her.” He was not happy with me and did not like me questioning his authority. He especially didn’t like having to admit to me a few days later later that he’d talk to my rhematologist and I would not be having the procedure.

On the flip side, I also left my son’s pediatrician and got a recommendation from a children’s therapist for another pediatrician. In less than 30 minutes, the new pediatrician had us appointments at Children’s Hospital, a psychiatrist (who was not accepting new patients), a and many more specialists who helped us solve a difficult case involving food therapy. We felt so relieved.

Last year my rheumatologist of ten+ years was rather rude and I left the office in tears–a rare event. I have found that many good doctors still have a “season” of being motivated to treat you. For me this seems to be 8-10 years. And despite a good relationship, I do expect to be treated with respect. I found a new rheumatologist and am pleased with what he has been able to do for me, the medications he is willing to try, and his experience in using both Western medicine as well as herbs, etc. when possible.

Lisa Copen is the founder of Rest Ministries and she lives in San Diego with her husband and son. She is gradually learning how to balance motherhood, family, illness, and ministry, but she still knows it will be a lifetime lesson. You can see the books she has written, including, Why Can’t I Make People Understand? at the Rest Ministries shop.

I had just received the third pink slip in two weeks from the lab that said my payment was passed due. Over three times I had called and my insurance company had assured me that the lab work was covered and that they would mail out a check that afternoon. This time, when I finally got a representative on the telephone, I was polite, but firm. I said that I wanted the problem taken care of immediately, and I wrote down her name and the supervisor’s name. It was time to get even more assertive.

When chronically ill people are assertive, is it not taken seriously?

Is it assumed that we won’t have the energy or stamina to fight all of the battles that we will face? When we do talk to someone in customer service, we are rarely taken absolutely seriously. After all, isn’t it just the drugs that make us impatient and nit-picky about all of this insurance stuff?

Has anyone ever brushed off your assertiveness simply by assuming, “She doesn’t have anything else to think about all day, so no wonder she’s upset!”? Or “She’s just taking her frustrations out on me because she has a chronic illness.”

What is exactly is assertiveness?

When you imagine an assertive person, what comes to mind? Webster’s Dictionary says that assertiveness is “positive; affirming confidently; affirmative.” Too often we confuse assertiveness with aggression which is defined as “making assaults and unjustly attacking.”

Most of us have had moments when we have slid into an aggressive mode, but assertiveness is based on one’s ability to confidently step forward. Rather than becoming aggressive, I believe that the chronically ill often become burnt out on fighting and we simply avoid any conflict. Who has the energy to fight for our rights? Next time a situation arises where you may need to be a bit assertive, here are some things in which to remember.

I have the right to say no without feeling guilty

For those of us with chronic illness, this is a big one! We must say, “no, thanks,” or “I’ll pass,” much more often than we would prefer. Even when we master the ability to say no, the guilt continues to sit with us for days. Let it go! You know your abilities and limitations and what is best for your own health and your family’s well being.

I have the right to state my opinion, even if I change my mind

Have you ever been on a jury and you had to state your decision upfront, but than as the deliberations continued, you changed your mind about the verdict? You have the right to say what you think, but it’s best to think before you speak. Is what you say going to hurt someone’s feelings? Are your comments going to help the situation?

I have the right to take risks and try new things

Just because you have a chronic condition doesn’t mean you have to eat at the same restaurant the rest of your life. Try new things! You may find a new hobby or a new activity that you are able to easily do, in which you would have never thought about.

“When I started taking photos it was with one of those cardboard cameras,” says Darcie. “But then I found that I really loved it and I wasn’t half bad. So I bought a real camera. It’s been fun. I’ve had an excuse to go to events that I couldn’t participate in before, like boat races, because I am ‘the photographer.’”

I have the right to be heard

Whether you are having a conversation with a medical professional or your mother, you do have the right to be heard. Too many of us fall into the habit of talking all of the time, however, and forgetting that we also have the responsibility to listen. Know your boundaries and what you are willing to listen to and not. When a man approached me after a health fair and said, “I can cure you in 30 days,”

I replied, “You have sixty seconds to tell me why I should talk with you further about your product.” I listened… and no, he didn’t convince me. He felt okay about it though, and I got out of an uncomfortable thirty-minute sales pitch.

“But I am too shy to be assertive!”

You may be shy, but that should not mean you end up getting walked all over. Practice in front of the mirror if you must. As you step out and share your opinion, it may feel awkward at first, but then you will gain more confidence and it will become simpler the next time the opportunity arises. Even studies have shown that assertive people are more likely to have personal and professional relationships that are based on honesty and mutual respect.

Lisa Copen is the founder of Rest Ministries and she lives in San Diego with her husband and son. She is gradually learning how to balance motherhood, family, illness, and ministry, but she still knows it will be a lifetime lesson. You can see the books she has written, including, Why Can’t I Make People Understand? at the Rest Ministries shop.

She is currently writing a book for Christian moms who live with chronic illness. If you are interested in sharing your stories, feedback and confessions for the book, visit her Facebook page at http://MomWithIllness.com .

Since herbal products are not regulated for their purity & potency, like conventional drugs, there can be severe adverse effectss & drug interactions. They can even be different from one batch to another. David Kroll, Ph.D., a pharmacologist & consultant to the Duke Center for Integrative Medicine (DCIM) says, “The single greatest resource for people who want credible herbal information is a health care practitioner who is uniquely trained in both conventional & alternative medicine. Those people are rare, but the DCIM has been established to train physicians accordingly & to offer a place for patients to turn today for this type of information & medical care.”

Your own research should never replace a physician’s advice, but here are some helpful web sites to learn more before downing your vitamins.

* Consumer Lab – find out tons of information on your vitamins & more. This lab tells you where to buy products, what to watch for & what to stop taking if it’s recalled.
* Diet-&-Health – Have gout, insomnia, or acne? This site tells you what you may be defincint in & what to consider taking.
* http://www.experimentalmedicine.org
* Guide to Nutritional & Herbal Remedies
* An FDA Guide to Dietary Supplements
* Quack Watch – though some people may find this controversial, the owner brings up a lot of points worth considering during your research.
* Mayo Health – Look up herb, vitamin & other supplement information

As with any health information you receive, check with your doctor before taking anything. No information provided by Rest Ministries is meant to be health advice.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Herbal Remedies Can Cause Cardiac Problems (nlm.nih.gov)
• Medical decision making is influenced by patients, lawsuits, & money (kevinmd.com)

E- patients take internet searches a step further. Not only do they occasionally conduct internet searches about health; but they become involved in online groups & organizations dedicated to a particular aspect of their health.

The upside? We can find people out there who know what we are going through. We can become involved in discussions with other patients like ourselves who have experienced the same side effects, the same pain, & most importantly, some of the same emotional aspects of dealing with an illness.

The downside? The internet makes everything accessible instantaneously. This may be feeding our fast paced society where our questions are never answered fast enough, especially in relation to our health. The internet is creating a shift in the health world, & this fast pace may be hard for hospitals & doctors to catch up with.

As far as generic information & moral support, the internet is a great tool. However, there is still a need to rely on traditional healthcare & to have a team of professionals around you. Not all patients are the same, & not all of our health related questions can be answered on Google.

Naomi Kingery, twenty year old brittle diabetic & author of The Sugar Free Series available at www.livetolovediabetes.com.

Does your friend have an HMO that requires her primary physician to be a “gate keeper?” In this model, doctors must cut costs by limiting referrals. It may be necessary to contact the HMO administration to dem& a second opinion. Read the fine print in the insurance packet before calling. Alternatively, she may request a new primary physician. These two processes will take time.

Unfortunately, your friend may need to spend money out of her own pocket to see the physician of her choice. Try to stick with a doctor covered by her plan because that doctor may end up being her advocate with the insurer. Explain the situation up front.

Many illnesses are difficult to diagnose. One example is a disease called “interstitial cystitis.” Doctors give antibiotics because they mistakenly think the symptoms of pain & frequent urination are due to infection. Another example is acid reflux. Doctors give antibiotics for a sore throat or cough that is not caused by strep bacteria, but by acid bubbling up from the stomach. If you “google” symptoms, you may find some clues.

I am embarrassed by doctors who give patients the brush off & HMOs that gouge. Your friend is blessed to have your concern.

Amy Fogelstrom Chai, MD, MS, is an Internal Medicine specialist with additional training in the area of medical research methods. Her experiences as a patient helped to redirect her priorities to home life & Christian ministry.

A Newsweek Poll found that 72 percent of Americans say they would welcome a conversation with their physician about faith; the same number say they believe that praying to God can cure someone—even if science says the person doesn’t st& a chance. Tell your doctor you’d like to see more physicians trained to underst& spirituality & medicine.

(Newsweek, Nov. 10, 2003).

It has a whole new meaning now that doctors & medical charts are part of my daily life. I hope it brings you a smile.

Lisa sits down with doctor Carrie Carter to discuss how life changed for this doctor one day when she because the patient. This is reprinted from HopeKeepers Magazine, 2004.

“I woke up feeling better than usual & I’m not a morning person. I was driving to work & pulled into the parking lot when everything around me began spinning so fast I couldn’t see anything & didn’t know where I was. I held onto the steering wheel & the pinwheel feeling lasted a few minutes. Finally it settled enough so that I could see the horizon & I pulled my car over. That was the last time I drove.”

Dr. Carrie Carter had spent years studying to become knowledgeable about medical conditions & nutritional supplements. But in the fall of 1999 she entered a new phase of education: the life of a person with a chronic illness. Diagnosed with Meniere’s Disease, a chronic, incurable inner ear disorder, life changed dramatically.

But as author of Thrive: A Woman’s Guide to a Healthy Lifestyle & Mom’s Health Matters (endorsed by MOPs), both released in 2003, God has redirected her life in a way she could not have imagined just five years ago. She brings us a unique perspective: That of a doctor who has listened to patients who looked fine but felt terrible. But also a doctor who feels poorly herself, but is told “Gosh, you look great! You must be doing so well!” [Note from editor: her newest book is A Woman's Guide to Good Health (2006)]

“There’s something in me,” shares Dr. Carter, “that rises up & wants to say, ‘but I’m still sick! I really am!’ I have a measure of health that varies in quantity & once I use it up, I’m done until it’s replenished—however long that takes. I want people to underst& that & yet it shouldn’t matter what people think. . . But it does. It’s that in between place that is very weird.”

I sat down with Dr. Carter to discuss her journey of living with a chronic illness, her new books, her radio programs—& how God fits into it all. With great emotion she shared her story, in hopes that it will encourage you. Yes, even doctors get sick.

HK: What are the most difficult parts of your day?

CC: Fatigue & any visual movement, like walking down grocery store aisles, causes vertigo. Vertigo is different than being dizzy. It’s extreme & unpredictable, sometimes I have several episodes a day. The severe fatigue is hard to describe. If I ride on an airplane or go to an event, I have to pay for it for days. But I’d rather not be housebound. I’d rather live & have these experiences, & know that when I come home I’ll have to spend five days in bed. That’s the price, but it’s better to live & do as much as I can with my family whenever I can.

As a doctor, the fatigue was one of the things that surprised me the most; it’s one of those symptoms most people with any chronic illness experience. I also lose my memory. It’s extremely scary. I had cognitive testing & discovered that I was basically coming in under average in the ability to think & process memory—very scary! Thankfully, I got through the worst part & my memory has mostly returned, but it’s very hard for my family. One day I’m very bright & capable & the next day I’m telling my son, “that thing over there.” I can’t remember what a chair is called. It’s frustrating & very humbling.

HK: How do you see God using illness in your life?

CC: I learned the hard way that I’m not invincible. Last year I went to CBA [Christian Booksellers Association conference] & it worked out that I went alone & overscheduled myself, but in the moment I was doing well physically. I felt wonderful, the best I’d been in four years. I expected once I got home I’d be in bed a few days, but I was stuck in bed for six weeks. I canceled all kinds of things.

HK: Yes, It’s hard to know when God is giving you a gift & you want to enjoy it; you’re saying, “Thank you, Lord. You knew I needed this.” Then you get home & realize you took a little too much of the gift. It was a small gift & you took a larger portion.

CC: Exactly. I often think, “God, You’ve given me this wonderful opportunity [to write, practice medicine, etc.]. Now, what I am supposed to do with it?” But I’ve had the most amazing blessing to write two books that came out in 2003. They were literally a gift from God; groundwork I had laid years before coming to fruition.

I’ve stopped asking God “Why do I have this disease?” I’ve had five surgeries, all the medicines, alternative medicines & therapies, & they’ve only helped a little. I’ve stopped asking, “Why me?” but I still get really angry at God. I don’t underst&. Those six weeks were very sobering, laying in bed, unable to even read or watch TV. I don’t underst& why.

HK: Explain how, as a doctor with a chronic illness, you ended up writing a book on wellness.

CC: They were literally dropped into my lap. If I had written a book earlier I would have written it from the perspective of a healthy person, about what one should do to stay healthy, but it would have been much less valuable than Thrive! I know what you’re supposed to do to stay healthy, I did it. Now, I’ve lost my health, & I know how hard it is to be without, so I want to help you hold onto whatever health you have.

At first, I wanted to hide my illness [from the publishers]. I thought there is no way they’re going to want a sick doctor writing about wellness, but now I realize what a sense of humor God has. He picked a sick doctor. I hope the book encourages those who feel discouraged because they have a lack of health; because they deserve to feel better, no matter where they are in the illness spectrum—there are some things one can do to help oneself thrive. The first of which is to be grounded spiritually. If you aren’t, you’re sunk.

HK: What was your typical week like before illness?

CC: I worked as a pediatrician, three-quarter time in an office. I was on call a lot & a mother of an eight-year-old who I spent a couple of afternoons a week with. I was involved with a lot of activities; I danced for Christian Community Theater & even took private tap dance lessons. I spoke to parent groups, & spoke around the country on healthy lifestyle choices & nutritional supplements. I had a very busy, full life that came crashing to a halt. Everything hit a brick wall & it was all gone—everything but my family & my home.

HK: How did you respond?

CC: I was in denial for quite awhile. In medical school all I learned about the disease was in one paragraph in my textbook. I thought any day I would just snap out of it & go back to work. There was one moment that was very telling. About two weeks after I had become ill, I saw a specialist who diagnosed my illness; he gave me medicine & said, “Come back in six weeks.” I thought the medicine would start working immediately & that I’d be better & back to work within a few days. Two weeks later I wasn’t feeling any better & I began to panic. I called the doctor & he said, “I don’t think you heard me clearly. It’s at six weeks we may begin to see some improvement.” My heart just dropped to the floor. I couldn’t believe that this was my life now. And if you’d told me then, that four years later I’d never work another day as a pediatrician . . .well. . . It was quite a change. . .

HK: What are some of the major lessons you’ve learned through having an illness?

CC: First, that I needed to learn to be honest with God about my feelings—& they are not pretty. I know some people can honestly say, “I’m just trusting God & everything is going to be fine.” My feelings don’t fit that mold. They can be ugly—but I’ve discovered that God can h&le it. . . And that He wants that intimacy with us. There were times I didn’t talk to God at all. I was so mad that He wasn’t answering my prayers to be healed because I knew He could do it & He could do it like that (snap).

I’ve also learned to celebrate the little miracles. I was able to get disability & social security without a whole lot of hassle. I have a wonderfully underst&ing family. God is providing even though He isn’t answering my prayers. Paul says, in Philippians 4:6 to bring everything —the good, the bad, & the ugly to God in prayer & petition.

Tell God the truth. I had to realistically come to terms with the fact that I may have this illness the rest of my life—& I don’t want that & I’m mad about it. But then Paul says, “with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” I’ve learned the thanksgiving part. It doesn’t make sense to be thankful when you’re mad—it just doesn’t! But when you do. . .it’s miraculous.

In order to survive, I have to choose to exercise thanksgiving. I consciously find something each day that I am thankful for Some days that is just, “Thank You for giving me an illness which I’m not dying of.” Sure, it’s taken away the life I had, but my son won’t face life without a mother. But I don’t think we should sugar-coat it & try to force ourselves to be positive all the time because that can keep one in denial.

HK: Tell me about the response you’ve had from others about your illness.

CC: A lot of people have a hard time accepting my illness. The Christian community expects me to be healed & they feel anguish that I’ve not been. A lot of times I feel I have to explain to them, “I’m really not doing anything wrong that’s preventing me from being healed!”

I’ve tried everything. About two years ago I had the surgery that would probably work & it didn’t; it took me a long time to recuperate too. I got low. So low that if I could have gotten to the bathroom & the big bottle of pills it would have been a tempting offer—but I made sure that couldn’t happen. But it was revealing—& God met me there. I felt Him tell me, within my heart, “Sometimes I answer your prayers for healing by teaching you how to live with what you’ve got.”

That was exactly what I needed to hear. I hope that’s not His final answer, but He has taught me how to live with what I’ve got. . . And a lot of people have a hard time hearing that. They say, “You just need to pray more; you just need to try this supplement; think more positive!” They mean so well, but it’s so exhausting. When I can barely have a conversation, & then I have to go beyond that & explain, “No, just because I’m not taking that doesn’t mean I’m giving up. . .”

At the beginning I had visits from my staff & partner. Nobody knew what to do to help. They feel powerless & it’s hard for them to know if they should call or not. The biggest thing that helped me was my office got a huge card & had the families of my patients sign it. I treasure it. Because when you’re so sick, & all your abilities are taken away, it’s nice to know someone still remembers what you could do & still values you.

People bringing meals was the most helpful thing. One family in my church has provided a meal every week for years. It’s impossible to express how much that’s meant to us. Most people fall by the wayside. I don’t blame them, people are busy, but it gets more isolating. I have months of feeling isolated, but I don’t feel well enough to invite someone over to do something. It can be tough.

HK: What keeps you encouraged during difficult times?

A lot of times it’s just making it through each day. I treasure notes & emails, especially when I hear how one of the books I’ve written touches someone. That’s an earthly thing, isn’t it? But it helps me to know that my existence here still matters.

I also just love doing radio interviews. God gave me back that part of my life that I loved so much in my medical career, a chance to talk heart to heart & help someone find a better state of health. God has provided so amazingly that I can sit here & encourage others in my pajamas with my little dog at my feet & my cup of tea.

My husb& is truly the most amazing man in the world. In some ways my marriage is actually better since my illness—it’s grown. He’s accepted me so completely in this state; even when I look horrible, am too sick to wash my hair, he says, “you’re always attractive to me.” God has given him good blinders.

HK: If you could take out a headline in tomorrow’s front page of the paper, what would it be?

“God’s Grace Comes Through Again”

Visit Dr. Carter’s web site at www.carteronhealth.com.

Lisa Copen is the author of Why Can’t I Make People Underst&? Discovering the Validation Those With Chronic Illness Seek & Why & she is the founder of Rest Ministries, Inc. She has lived with rheumatoid arthritis since 1993.

Modern “conventional” medicine sprang from the uniquely Christian idea that truth never changes. Shamanism & alchemy were utterly debunked in the intellectual wildfire sparked by the reformation of the Christian Church. Science as we know it was born.

Now “alternative” medicine is gaining ground, offering a more spiritual approach to physical healing. Unfortunately, the religious philosophy it is based upon is not Christianity. Many new healers use methods based largely on eastern mysticism.

I know what it feels like to be told, “There is nothing we can do for you.” It feels crushing, with hope leaving a vacuum where the heart should be. I underst& why people will try anything…anything. If you are at that point, as I once was, your loved ones are probably urging you to try all sorts of alternatives.

The bottom line is this: alternative medicine is a multi-billion dollar industry. It is largely unregulated by the federal government. People pay in cash. There is no malpractice liability. There is no requirement to prove safety or efficacy. If you choose an alternative therapy, make sure it is backed up by solid research, avoid the mystical, & be sure to inform your physician.

Amy Fogelstrom Chai, MD, MS, is an Internal Medicine specialist with additional training in the area of medical research methods. Her experiences as a patient helped to redirect her priorities to home life & Christian ministry.