Meet the expert

Gerald P. Keane M.D.
Physician- M.D.
Elizabeth S Ginsburg - Teladoc Health UK

Biography

Organisation: Stanford Medical School Voluntary Faculty- Sports Medicine Private practice: The Physiatry Medical Group/SOAR- Spine – Redwood City, CA
Qualifications: MD
Location: USA

I’ve been in practice nearly 40 years and have taught and lectured extensively- my publications list is over twenty books/articles and chapters and I continue to teach and do research in spinal medicine, sports medicine and sports related concussion.

Tell us about yourself

I have two children who have both entered the medical field and I try to spend as much time keeping up with them as possible. I spend a lot of time at sporting events doing coverage for teams- I love to read and my wife and I love to hike and walk. There never seems to be enough hours in the day.

Q

Why did you choose your specialty/job role?

A

My first medical school rotation led me to a mentor who was caring, intelligent and wanted to make a difference in the lives of their patients- I knew right away that I wanted to follow their path.

Q

What’s the most interesting/memorable case you’ve been involved in for the EMO service?

A

I think the most memorable case I can recall is a patient where I came to the conclusion that no matter how much we treated their obvious physical problem- that they were so lost in a world of medication and dependency that they could not expect to feel better- until they worked not just on the physical side of the equation but the mental/psychological end of the equation as well. I tried to encourage them to find a way forward, focusing more on their overall health and well-being and what I felt was a likely medication dependency even more than the physical issues they were dealing with. I felt it without such an approach they were not going to ever feel better. I’ve kept them in mind many other times since.

Q

What do you most enjoy about working for Teladoc Health?

A

I particularly enjoy the challenge of trying to be someone’s consulting physician though I never get the opportunity to meet them or follow up on their outcome. I find it both exciting and at times frustrating because I do enjoy the follow up with my own patients. I want to make sure that I put down everything that I can possibly think of and answer all the questions that I think they should be asking whether have thought of them or not. I enjoy that challenge a great deal. I won’t get a second chance, so I want to make sure that I’ve done the best I can for them. I don’t know what other kind of resources may or may not be available to them, otherwise. I want them to be able to ask questions and become more involved in making their own best decisions.

Q

How do you think patients can benefit from the SMO service?

A

Having worked with Expert Service for quite a few years now, I have much appreciated what a remarkable service it is to be able to provide outside advice and expertise to individuals who might not otherwise have such an opportunity. It really breaks down barriers. Also, it allows medical care to be pushed to a higher level as people begin to understand the types of remarkable advances in treatment that have become available to them. It is not unusual for me to have to do some additional research on the particulars of one aspect of some of the patients I review, especially as there are differences in the types of care that are both available and preferred from one medical setting to the next. It’s been a real learning experience for me as well.

Q

What is the professional achievement you’re most proud of?

A

I’m most proud of my years of teaching and working with students on patient care and research- it provides a sense of continuity that allows medical care to continue to evolve over time. It feels like the opportunity to get back to something for the greater good.

Q

Are you involved in any other organisations or charity work?

A

I’ve volunteered for many years working with students and student athletes at multiple schools and with US team sports in international competitions. My wife and I are very involved in volunteering in the area of education.

Q

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

A

I honestly believe that Teladoc provides a remarkable service. And my congratulations to them for all they have accomplished. It’s really quite a marvel from what I can tell.

Q

Why did you choose your specialty/job role?

A

My first medical school rotation led me to a mentor who was caring, intelligent and wanted to make a difference in the lives of their patients- I knew right away that I wanted to follow their path.

Q

What’s the most interesting/memorable case you’ve been involved in for the EMO service?

A

I think the most memorable case I can recall is a patient where I came to the conclusion that no matter how much we treated their obvious physical problem- that they were so lost in a world of medication and dependency that they could not expect to feel better- until they worked not just on the physical side of the equation but the mental/psychological end of the equation as well. I tried to encourage them to find a way forward, focusing more on their overall health and well-being and what I felt was a likely medication dependency even more than the physical issues they were dealing with. I felt it without such an approach they were not going to ever feel better. I’ve kept them in mind many other times since.

Q

What do you most enjoy about working for Teladoc Health?

A

I particularly enjoy the challenge of trying to be someone’s consulting physician though I never get the opportunity to meet them or follow up on their outcome. I find it both exciting and at times frustrating because I do enjoy the follow up with my own patients. I want to make sure that I put down everything that I can possibly think of and answer all the questions that I think they should be asking whether have thought of them or not. I enjoy that challenge a great deal. I won’t get a second chance, so I want to make sure that I’ve done the best I can for them. I don’t know what other kind of resources may or may not be available to them, otherwise. I want them to be able to ask questions and become more involved in making their own best decisions.

Q

How do you think patients can benefit from the SMO service?

A

Having worked with Expert Service for quite a few years now, I have much appreciated what a remarkable service it is to be able to provide outside advice and expertise to individuals who might not otherwise have such an opportunity. It really breaks down barriers. Also, it allows medical care to be pushed to a higher level as people begin to understand the types of remarkable advances in treatment that have become available to them. It is not unusual for me to have to do some additional research on the particulars of one aspect of some of the patients I review, especially as there are differences in the types of care that are both available and preferred from one medical setting to the next. It’s been a real learning experience for me as well.

Q

What is the professional achievement you’re most proud of?

A

I’m most proud of my years of teaching and working with students on patient care and research- it provides a sense of continuity that allows medical care to continue to evolve over time. It feels like the opportunity to get back to something for the greater good.

Q

Are you involved in any other organisations or charity work?

A

I’ve volunteered for many years working with students and student athletes at multiple schools and with US team sports in international competitions. My wife and I are very involved in volunteering in the area of education.

Q

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

A

I honestly believe that Teladoc provides a remarkable service. And my congratulations to them for all they have accomplished. It’s really quite a marvel from what I can tell.

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