I'm happy with how I care.

Talking Rehab with Dr. Fred Bagares

**Podcast Summary and Timestamps:**
- **[00:00] Introduction** – What is rehab, and a bit about my background as a sports and spine medicine physician. I share why I started this podcast and my goal of sparking discussions in musculoskeletal medicine.
- **[00:34] A Referring Doc's Case** – I talk about a recent case where a doctor referred a patient to me for an EMG study due to leg numbness, how I prepared the patient, and why it's important to communicate before tests like EMGs.
- **[02:04] Discovering a Different Diagnosis** – Instead of proceeding with the EMG, I diagnosed the patient with *lateral femoral cutaneous neuralgia* and opted for a regular consultation, explaining my reasoning behind this decision.
- **[03:40] Communicating with the Referring Doctor** – I share how I reached out to the referring doctor to explain why I changed the plan from an EMG to a consultation, and the challenges of the communication process.
- **[04:28] Limitations of EMG for Meralgia Parasthetica** – Discussing the challenges of using EMG for diagnosing this condition and why physical exams or diagnostic blocks can sometimes be more reliable.
- **[06:01] Hand Specialist Referral** – The patient was also set to see a hand surgeon. I explain why I decided to perform the nerve study in advance to save time for the patient and future consultations.
- **[07:10] Relationship-Based Practice** – Emphasizing the importance of building strong relationships with both patients and referring doctors, and how it’s different from the transactional nature of insurance-based models.
- **[09:07] Patient Frustration with Multiple Referrals** – How patients with unclear symptoms, like thigh numbness, often go through multiple specialists without clear answers, leading to frustration and wasted time.
- **[10:10] Streamlining Care** – Reflecting on the efficiency of my care in this case, saving time and frustration for both the patient and the referring doctor, and ensuring reports were sent in a timely manner.
- **[11:01] Why I Created My Practice** – I conclude by sharing how my dissatisfaction with the traditional practice model led me to create a practice where I can provide the level of care that feels right to me, and encourage others to seek this kind of care.
This episode highlights the importance of clear communication, efficient diagnosis, and relationship-based care in modern musculoskeletal practice.

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