Good morning! Thank you for being here, it means a lot to us.

We’ve been asked several times over the years what led to the start of wwad. We could tell you, but we’d rather show you.

Any chance you could see our first patient with us this morning? I’m serious.

We’d prefer to see all of them with you, but we know that you have a busy day. 

I bet even this one patient might explain why practices and hospitals around the world are starting Walk with a Doc. 

You will see him? Cool!  

This is great! 

Here’s your white coat and my partner’s stethoscope just in case you want to listen to a murmur. 

Wow. You are a good-looking doctor, my friend!

Okay, Mr. Robert Thompson is ready for us in room 1. He’s 54 and has Type II diabetes It looks like he was in the ED all last Sunday with chest pain.

Knock, knock.

“Mr. Thompson, good morning! David Sabgir and this is my teammate, Megan. We also have a friend interested in medicine with us today. Do you mind if they sit in?”

“No, that’s fine (he smiles as he drops his arms). I can use all the help I can get” – he chuckles to himself.

“Everyone calls him Bobby, doc”, his wife, Ellen shares with a smile from the chair next to him.

“Before we get started, Ellen can I ask what you’re reading?”

“Oh, of course,” She holds the book up. “Most important book I’ve read in at least the last 10 years.”

“Ah, thanks for sharing.”

I shift where my feet are facing Mr. Thompson.

“Bobby, thanks for coming in. What’s going on?”

“Okay, so this past weekend we were moving my mother into our place in New Albany. She’s got early Alzheimer’s  (there’s a significant reduction in the development of Alzheimer’s with modest exercise) and she just got out of rehab.”

“She broke her hip over Christmas”

Ellen looks over to share with Megan, who nods in understanding. (there’s a significant reduction in hip fractures in post-menopausal women in women who are physically active v. those who do not).

Bobby continues, “We had gotten her dresser up the first few steps then my knees  (there is a significant reduction in pain and disability due to knee arthritis with regular walking) jaw, and chest started to hurt  (there is a significant reduction in heart attacks and strokes with ~ 150 minutes walking/week).

“It was like someone reached into my chest and was squeezing it, Doc”. 

Ellen made me chew 4 baby aspirin  (smart, Ellen). I wanted to drive to the hospital but she called the squad (very smart, Ellen). Anyway, everything in the ER checked out and they wanted me to see you this week. It hasn’t come back since Sunday. The doctor in the ER said something about a stress test.”

“Good history. Let’s go through some of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease”

“Do you smoke Bobby?”, Ellen begins to glare at Bobby who is now lowering his head as he smiles nervously.

(Physical activity is also proven to play a strong role in tobacco cessation. The chemicals released in exercise hit the same receptors that nicotine stimulates – it cuts cravings significantly).

“How has your blood pressure been?”

“Yeah, we check it. At home, I’m usually 140’s-150’s over 80’s” (Exercise lowers BP). 

I bet you’re going to ask me about my cholesterol too, right doc? It’s somewhere around 205, is that good?”

(Exercise increases the good cholesterol, HDL, and lowers the bad, LDL) 

“How long have you had diabetes?”

“Well, they diagnosed me 4 or 5 years ago, but if I’m going to be honest, I’ve probably had it a lot longer.” 

(there is a significant reduction in diabetes with moderate physical activity) 

“Anything else we should know Ellen?”

“Yes. He snores!” She starts laughing. “Oh goodness, does he snore! You’d think the whole house was coming down! (physical activity prevents or dramatically improves sleep apnea). “Also, I don’t know if it’s his mom moving in or what, but he’s not been the same person recently. He’s worrying about everything and, I love him (she grasps his left hand with both of hers, pauses and looks him in the eye) but he’s challenging to be around.”

“Isn’t that right, hon?”

Still looking down, he nods with intent.

She laughs to try and take some of the sting off, “He’s turned into Debbie Downer (Physical activity reduces anxiety by 48% and depression by 47%). He’s also tired all the time (Physical activity is the #1 treatment for fatigue). So Doc, can you just give us a pill that will fix ALL of this!” she laughs and smacks his left knee. 

Actually, yes, we can kind of do that.

“Do you go for walks Bobby? Swim, bike, elliptical?”

“I’ve been tryin’ but with the weather like it is…”

“Robert Michael Thompson!” Ellen jumps in. “Tell me the last time you went for a walk!”

Same nervous smile as his chin lowers to his chest. Long pause before he pops up is right index finger. 

“We did that Race for the Cure thing! (in the right amount, moderate physical activity reduces breast cancer onset, or its recurrence, by up to 42% and 53% respectively). When was that El?”

“2003!”

This got us all to laugh, even Megan typing away in the corner. I think it was her delivery.

“I’ll be right back Bobby,” I share as you and I step out into the hall.

I really appreciate you seeing Bobby with me. I know you have to go so I wanted to get you out of the room before we start him on his new meds ($$$) and schedule his stress test ($$$$).  

Hopefully that gives you a little further insight as to why we do Walk with a Doc.

Statistics show 97% of the United States is not getting their recommended amount of exercise.

I may have only one patient today that’s getting 150 minutes/week.

80% are like Bobby and don’t exercise at all. 

You can see, Bobby is a great guy. He also has a lot of people that are depending on him. 

We hope you agree that we have a cure and we need to make it happen, now.

Walking in the park will send Bobby’s quality of life through the roof. 

It’s been debated whether or not getting Bobby walking is a doctor’s responsibility? 

Honestly, we couldn’t care less who’s responsibility it is. 

What we care about is the opportunity. This gift of an opportunity to get Bobby out moving. 

We hope you agree that it doesn’t take much thought to see what needs to happen.

We just need to continue to be assertive and persistent in getting our doctors out into our country’s parks.

We have the cure, we just need to act.

Now.

-david

Disclaimer:

Their names are not Robert and Ellen Thompson and the date was also changed. This newsletter was written by Dr. David Sabgir and the team at Walk with a Doc headquarters and does not necessarily represent the views of our local WWAD chapter leaders.