Dr. John Kim * Philosophy

PRACTICE STYLE
Obstetrics & gynecology involves very personal issues, so it is important to find a practitioner with whom you feel comfortable. While many intangible factors can affect how you feel about a particular practitioner, some characteristics are somewhat amenable to objective description. For example, there is a continuum from directive, paternalistic care, to more collaborative, interactive care. I will involve you in decisions regarding your care. If there is more than one option for the evaluation or treatment of a problem, I will explain the pros and cons of each, and have you participate in the decision. I believe my background in Internal Medicine also makes me more likely to give nonsurgical options more prominent consideration, where appropriate. I strongly value the doctor-patient relationship, and make every effort to be personally available to you.

SMALL VS. LARGE PRACTICES
From a patient's perspective, the biggest difference between small (1 or 2 doctor) and large ob-gyn practices is seen when you need unscheduled care. This is most likely to happen during pregnancy, but the same principles apply to unscheduled gynecologic care. In most group practices, you choose your own practitioner for your scheduled gynecologic care, and you would typically see that person for all of your non-urgent visits. When you become pregnant, however, you would generally rotate amongst all of the obstetric practitioners, since you would typically be delivered by the practitioner on call. If there are more than two or three practitioners involved, you may or may not have a chance to become familiar with all of them, and they with you. In a solo practice, you see your doctor for all of your prenatal visits, and he or she would be expected to perform your delivery. The potential drawback, however, is that if your doctor is not available when you go into labor, you may be delivered by a covering doctor you have not had a chance to meet. Each physician in a small practice must decide how to balance his or her personal and professional lives. In recent years, most of the 2-doctor and some of the 3-doctor ob/gyn practices in the area have come to share call with each other. I have gone more than 5 years without taking a day off call, but as of February 2008 have begun to take a weekend off every 4 to 8 weeks. I am still on call more than any other ob-gyn based at Easton or St. Luke's Bethlehem campus.

Q: That sounds like good marketing. What's your track record?
A: As alluded to above, between November 1998 and February 2008, I took the equivalent of 17 days off call. Since then, I am taking a weekend off every 4 to 8 weeks. I am quite serious about being available to you.

Q: Who covers for you?
A: The physicians who provide the primary coverage for me when necessary are Drs. Kristin Abruzzi, Gail Burgey, Elizabeth Lamb, and Johnnie Willis. They will provide you with excellent care.

Q: Are you going to remain solo?
A: Unfortunately, probably not. In my opinion, when you consider the patients' and practitioners' needs, two or three doctors is the ideal size for an ob-gyn practice. Unfortunately, due to the professional liability situation in Pennsylvania, it is becoming impossible to practice in an independent, small practice. Unless meaningful changes are made, the future will require larger groups of hospital-employed ob-gyns. While I hope this situation will change with the passage of meaningful tort reform, in the meantime, I will do my best to be available for you.