A Primary Care Doctor Reveals Her Tips for Better Health
“I always wanted to be a doctor. One of my first favorite toys as a child was the Fisher-Price doctor set with the stethoscope and the thermometer,” says Tochi Iroku-Malize, M.D., a board-certified family physician. Her father was a surgeon and her mother a nurse practitioner, so medicine is practically in her DNA.
Meet the expert: Tochi Iroku- Malize, M.D., M.P.H., is a board-certified primary care doctor, a family medicine specialist, and the senior vice president of family medicine at Northwell Health in New York City. She is also a professor and inaugural chair of the Department of Family Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell.
“Now I take care of patients of all ages, from newborns to seniors, and I’m trained to diagnose, treat, and manage a vast spectrum of health conditions, including mental health–related issues, reproductive health, and geriatric care,” says Dr. Iroku-Malize. “I make it a point to learn a family’s dynamics, medical histories, and genetic predispositions, which gives me a more holistic viewpoint.” Here, her must-knows for good health.
Is there a big difference between an internist and a family medicine practitioner?
Both are primary care doctors who play an important role in people’s overall health. The biggest distinction is simply in the populations they work with—internists focus on adults, whereas family doctors treat all ages. You may notice more family docs in rural settings that don’t have lots of specialists and resources; we have to complete clinical rotations and trainings in many areas, from dermatology to radiology to pediatrics and women’s health, so we have expansive knowledge.
How can people get the most out of a visit to their doctor?
Being prepared makes you an empowered patient. Write down your health concerns and start by focusing on the top two you want addressed. If you list multiple issues at once, the doctor may focus on one that’s not your personal priority. Know what medications, nutritional supplements, and herbal remedies you take and share that information. Finally, remember that this is a place to be fully transparent about everything: Be honest and open about what’s going on so your doctor can help.
What’s exciting in your field right now?
Incorporating complementary therapies like acupuncture, meditation, yoga, and nutrition counseling into conventional medicine is something more clinicians should consider. And AI is affecting all industries, including medicine. It can provide clinical support by allowing us to analyze data (such as medical history or genetic information) to personalize and tailor treatment plans or make medical decisions that will hopefully lead to better health outcomes. AI tools can also be helpful in providing faster, more accurate results for imaging and scans.
What is one often-overlooked secret to good health?
Find silver linings. There’s a link between positivity and health benefits like reduced heart disease risk. I post a positive message on social media every morning with the hashtag #youvegotthis. It helps me remember that no matter how I’m feeling that day, I can share at least one encouraging message.
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