David Eldridge, M.D.

Medical Practice Philosophy

A trade mark of my private practice of internal medicine is clinical autonomy. I ensure this by not contracting with HMOs or other forms of "managed care". I need to feel that I can see you whenever you and I together decide it's necessary; to have the freedom to order a test or refer you to a specialist and not to have to go through a committee, a clerk, or other doctor who may or may not be in the same specialty or even the same region of the country. These HMO procedures may not just be a nuisance but could really do you harm.

As a result of not contracting with HMOs, I can spend more time with you and see you in my office the day or day after you call. You will see me in person, not a physician "extender" i.e. nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or perhaps another doctor whose job it is to see all the extra patients that day because the other doctors are fully booked or overbooked.

I'm a good listener which is important. There must be trust. This is achieved first and foremost by listening. You must feel able to tell your story and believe that there is enough time, attention and interest being paid by another person who is listening.

There must also be empathy. I am compassionate, able to imaginatively place myself in your position to feel what it is like to be you, what your life is like.

It's crucial to have credibility--my ability to say "you'll be alright" or "you need to be admitted to the hospital" and have you believe me; and, above all, good judgement which is to know what is the best thing to do at a given time for you, an individual patient with particular problems.

I practice a medicine that is considered special by my patients and one where my patients are special to me. My patients value my services, those of the specialists who back me up and of the hospital where we all practice.

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