Sullivan AIDS doctor is back in business

http://www.sc-democrat.com/news/12December/19/news.htm

This article is about an infectious disease specialist, Dr. Gary Good who is opening his new office in Monticello. Leaving his training in the 1990's, Good saw an overwhelming rate of diagnoses of HIV in Sullivan County and decided to help meet the need. He had originally worked with a medical center, and then a non-profit healthcare system, Hudson River Healthcare (HRH), but was removed from the services due to funding. His patients continued to contact him for help on how to deal with the complicated healthcare system and to receive treatment, and Good decided he couldn't abandon them and decided to set up his own practice in Monticello.
I believe that Dr. Good displays some valuable qualities that are important in the patient-doctor relationship. He must have earned their trust to have them follow him across two healthcare systems and then continue to contact him for advice after he was removed from HRH. Additonally, he is seeking to provide the latest in drug therapy and keep his knowledge of his specialty up to date by applying for funding for new drug trials. Moreover, he has respect for his patients and after developing a long relationship with many of them, he doesn't want to abandon them and considers them to be very close.
I think some of the values displayed by Dr. Good are very important in the doctor-patient relationship. I feel that another aspect not yet touched on is the importance of teaching patients to help them stay healthy. For patients to improve their own health, they have to be able to understand what they need to do, be that information on their medications, the harmful effects of drugs and cigarettes, or how to maintain a healthy diet to avoid heart disease and obesity. Additionally, having a respect for patients while still developing a healthy relationship is very important. If patients respect you and you show them respect then they are more likely to listen to what you have to say and advise them to do. Compliance will go up as will health outcomes. Strong patient-physician relationships lead to healthier patients.