How Technology is Transforming Patient Care with Dr. Philip Faler
Video Transcription
Dave: Let’s talk technology and how this has changed nearly everything. How has it reshaped the way you care for patients in this day?
Dr. Faler: The number one thing that it’s done for me, Dave, it’s given me a broader reach. I’m here in Spokane. I see patients all over the state of Washington. I help patients all over the state of Oregon. And if it wasn’t for the technology, I would be much more geographically limited.
Dave: And we’re talking about telehealth.
Dr. Faler: Yeah. Yeah.
Dave: So explain what that means and how you interact with your patients that way.
Dr. Faler: Absolutely. So we use a HIPAA-compliant app called pMD and we do video conferencing for the initial consultation and follow-ups. And then on top of that, I fly from Spokane to Seattle. I drive to Bellingham from there. And then on the next week, I fly down to Portland and I try to see each and every patient in person at least once because it just helps cement that doctor-patient relationship. But the technology allows me to get that reach and help patients more efficiently than if I didn’t have it.
Dave: So what’s the feedback you’re getting from patients using this technology?
Dr. Faler: They love it. Patients do their follow-ups from their car on their lunch break, and they love that. Every once in a while, I get a patient who calls me in his jammies. Having coffee in his house. It’s efficient. I love efficiency.
Dave: Any barriers to this?
Dr. Faler: Yeah. Yeah. I mean, a physical exam. And that’s why I take the time to travel around the two states and make sure I see everybody in person. I like to get my hands on patients, even if it’s a handshake, but also the physical exam. Being able to listen to their heart and lungs, look in their eyes.
Dave: And this relationship, is it closer because maybe you can talk to them more often because of the telehealth or not?
Dr. Faler: I don’t know if it’s closer because… It’s closer because I can reach patients who are further away much more easily.
Dave: How do you keep treatment personalized despite maybe a screen or an app where they can’t shake your hand or say hi in person?
Dr. Faler: I like to ask patients about themselves. I want to know what you do for a living. I want to know where you grew up. I want to know my patients. I want to know them personally. And then we dive in. Let’s talk about, okay, how can I help you? What symptoms are you experiencing? Sometimes I’ll take a break in the middle of the symptom interview and just ask questions about, “Well, tell me a little bit about your life. What do you do for work? What do you like doing? What do you do for fun?” Find some common ground. “Oh, I love phishing too.” And just connect with people.
Dave: And that probably opens up some possible answers for you on what may be going on in their life or explains what’s going on.
Dr. Faler: And solutions, because if they’re into bowling, well, come third follow-up, well, are you back to bowling? Have you gotten back to that? How’s that shoulder doing? Are you able to get out? Have you taken the wife bowling with you?
Dave: As far as patient care in the next five to 10 years, where do you see it going?
Dr. Faler: AI is going to play a big role. AI is going to play a big role. I mean, it’s such an amazing tool diagnostically. After visits, I’ll often use AI just to think a little more broadly about the case and look up a few things and see what AI’s thoughts are. What did I not think of? What else might I offer that I didn’t mention? I think that’s going to play a big role, AI.
Dave: If you’re looking for cutting edge care that is still on the personal level, Dr. Faler’s clinic combines both of them. As you’ve heard, you can learn more right now at antiagingnorthwest.com. There’s also a direct link below this video.