Slow Medicine: Medicine with Time with Rui Pedro Lérias

I'm starting my private practice as a general doctor and called it MEDICINA COM TEMPO (Medicine with Time). I subscribe to the Slow Medicine Movement. 

We, doctors, need time to practise medicine.
Time to listen to the patient and time to listen to the heart of the patient.
Time to ask and time to ponder.
Time to teach and time to learn.
Time to develop trust.

Fast medicine - emergencies and intensive care - is an essential part of medicine but shouldn't be at the center. Instead, Slow Medicine, medicine with time, should have center stage. Many a trip to the Emergency Department is due to lack of time for patients in primary care.

Succinctly, I now provide general medicine consults for adults in three modalities: face-to-face consultations  in a clinic; telemedicine appointments; house calls.

General Medicine Consultations with Rui Pedro Lérias (OM 67087) 

1. Face-to-face consultations (in a medical office)

This is the preferential way to practise medicine.

During the consultation I will lead a clinical interview and perform a physical examination, including but not limited to weight, blood pressure, pulse, heart and lungs auscultation and neurological exam. The physical exam will be tendered to the profile of the patient and the information acquired will help guide the appointment. I will be available to answer questions, address doubts and discuss any concerns the patient might have.

Street photo of the clinic where I work in Paço de Arcos/Oeiras.
 

Clinic Location and Contact Details:

Clínica Médica Dentária Renée & Roque
Rua Instituto Conde de Agrolongo, 3 A/B
2770-081 Paço de Arcos
Appointments: 214 421 490 ou 916 186 332

See location in OpenStreetMap

See location in Google Maps

 

The appointment will last approximately 60 minutes and has a cost of 50€. I will make a follow-up phone call a few days later to optimize any clinical decisions.

The consultation includes, free of charge, the possibility of doing a lateral-flow antigen test for the detection of  SARS-CoV-2 / COVID19.

During the consultation, at an extra cost, when relevant, there is also the possibility of doing the following point-of-care tests: blood sugar, ketone, triglycerides, total cholesterol, uric acid, and glicosylated hemoglobin (useful in diagnosing and monitoring diabetes); urine summary test. The capillary blood sample is drawn through a finger puncture.

The inside of the medical office.

Health education is an important aspect of the appointment. For this purpose, I have available in the office anatomical models and other visual resources to support a better understanding of the subjects discussed during the consult.

 

 2. Remote Appointment (not for emergencies) - Telemedicine

Although telemedicine has a role to play in medicine, it should be used with criteria as it limits the possibility of performing a physical examination and makes communication harder. Nevertheless, there are situations where a telemedicine consults can address the patient needs and deliver.

Day and time to be agreed, after discussing if the request for a teleconsultation is a good way of addressing the patient needs.

Request for appointment: geral@medicinacomtempo.pt

Cost: 25 to 50€, depending on consult expected duration, agreed beforehand.

3. House call (not for emergencies)*

A house call is a consultation that takes place where the patient lives or is staying. I limit my house calls to situations when the patient has a limitation that prevents or makes more difficult coming to the clinic (this does not apply to house calls in the municipalities in bold, due to distance to the practise).

Day and time to be agreed, after discussing if the request for a house call is a good way of addressing the patient needs.

Request for appointment: geral@medicinacomtempo.pt

Cost: 75€

* District of Lisboa (all): Municipalities of Alenquer, Amadora, Arruda-dos-Vinhos, Azambuja, Cadaval, Cascais, Lisboa, Loures, Lourinhã, Mafra, Odivelas, Oeiras, Sintra, Sobral de Monte Agraço, Torres Vedras e Vila Franca de Xira.
District of Setúbal: Municipalities of Alcochete, Montijo, Santiago do Cacém, Sines
Districto of Beja: Municipality of Odemira

 I choose to practise medicine in such a way as to have time for the patients, in a respectful environment, welcoming to everyone. I aim to make a positive difference, however small, in the lives of those that seek my services. 

 

I have a degree in Ecology and love nature, specially trees. I have guided tours to gardens and natural areas.