Telemedicine Talks

#30 - When Doing the Right Thing Slows You Down—and Why It’s Worth It

Episode Summary

Dr. Leo Damasco and Phoebe Gutierrez welcome Dr. Okemefuna Okpara to explore the emotional and practical challenges of telemedicine. From navigating burnout to pivoting to wound care and NP supervision, Dr. Okpara shares strategies for maintaining ethical standards, overcoming imposter syndrome, and building a flexible career around family life.

Episode Notes

In this episode of Telemedicine Talks, Dr. Leo Damasco and Phoebe Gutierrez sit down with Dr. Okemefuna Okpara, to discuss his telemedicine journey sparked by burnout during the COVID era. Dr. Okpara candidly shares his struggles with the chaos of juggling multiple telemedicine gigs, particularly in weight loss and GLP-1 prescriptions, where he prioritized ethical practice over efficiency, often spending extra time to ensure patient safety. He reflects on the culture of silence around telemedicine pitfalls, the fear of liability, and the lack of trust in some platforms. Transitioning to locums and earning a wound care certification, he now collaborates with his brother’s mobile wound care company, leveraging AI for nationwide expansion. Dr. Okpara offers practical tools for managing imposter syndrome, protecting one’s license, and exploring non-clinical roles like NP supervision. He advocates for systemic improvements in telemedicine to prioritize trust and patient care. This episode is essential for physicians seeking to navigate telemedicine with integrity and resilience.

Three Actionable Takeaways:

  1. Practice Ethical Diligence – Treat telemedicine patients with the same care as in-person encounters. Spend time verifying patient details and educating them to ensure safety, even if it slows initial productivity, to avoid liability and maintain trust.
  2. Invest in Education to Build Confidence – Pursue certifications (e.g., wound care or obesity medicine) to overcome imposter syndrome when entering new fields or supervising others, ensuring you feel equipped to guide with authority.
  3. Seek Trusted Collaborations – Partner with reliable individuals or companies, like family-run businesses, for roles like NP supervision. Focus on low-liability fields with clear CMS guidelines to align with your values and reduce stress.

About the Show

Telemedicine Talks explores the evolving world of digital health, helping physicians navigate new opportunities, regulatory challenges, and career transitions in telemedicine.

About the Guest

Dr. Okemefuna Okpara is a board-certified emergency medicine physician based in Austin, Texas, with over 20 years of experience in freestanding ERs and locums roles. Entering telemedicine two years ago to combat burnout, he explored clinical gigs and NP supervision while earning certifications in wound care and obesity medicine. Dr. Okpara now collaborates with his brother’s mobile wound care company, aiming for nationwide expansion with AI integration. A father of three, he champions ethical practice and work-life balance to inspire resilient career paths.

LinkedIn; linkedin.com/in/okemefunaokpara

About the Hosts: