Advice from Both Sides of Healthcare with Dr. Melanie Hoppers

In this episode, Dr. Melanie Hoppers discusses her journey from a traditional physician to a specialist in POTS, ME/CFS, MCAS, and long COVID, spurred by her daughter's illness. Her rural Tennessee clinic now focuses on care for complex chronic illnesses, inspired by learning from the Bateman Horn Center. Dr. Hoppers emphasizes the importance of compassion and patient-provider collaboration, urging patients to present concise lists of issues to avoid overwhelming physicians and to find providers willing to invest time and empathy in their care. Her approach involves patient education and building trust with healthcare providers. She notes the impact of dismissive healthcare on chronic illness patients, advocating for informed, patient-driven discussions in medical consultations.