Interview with Doctor Justin Thompson

We recently met with Doctor Justin Thompson, a concierge OBGYN serving the South Bay, at his office in Palo Alto. From the second we walked in, we were blown away by his welcoming presence, dedication to his practice, and beautiful and inviting office. We are so excited to have him as a guest on this week’s blog, and we can’t wait to share with you all about his practice!

Can you walk us through your educational and professional journey that led you to specialize in OBGYN, specifically, to opt for a concierge medical model?

I went to medical school with an open mind and lots of curiosity. I ended up considering many different specialties. I was fascinated by gynecologic oncology and thought I would enjoy helping people like my grandmother, a uterine cancer survivor.

As a prerequisite for a gynecologic oncology fellowship, you must complete an ObGyn residency. While completing my ObGyn training at Stanford and delivering hundreds of babies, I knew Obstetrics was my calling.

Now, after nine years of delivering babies in various settings/clinics, I feel there is a better way to deliver Obstetric care. Mass-produced, corporatized, insurance-driven care models do not prioritize patient needs. I chose to open my practice, which focuses on providing the type of care I would want for my family members.

How long have you been delivering at Stanford?

I have been delivering at Standford for ten years.

How do you stay updated with the latest advancements in obstetrics and gynecology?

In order to maintain my board certification, I complete at least 25 hours of continuing medical education each year. I’m also a Stanford adjunct clinical faculty member, meaning I spend time each month working with and teaching physicians at Stanford Hospital.

Why did you choose the concierge medical model for your practice? How does it benefit your patients?

I don’t want corporate CEOs or insurance companies telling me how much time to spend with a patient. My patients never feel rushed, know they can reach me with concerns, and know who will deliver their baby.

Given the nature of the concierge model, how do you ensure personalized care and availability for each of your patients?

By capping the number of due dates I accept each month, I can ensure my patients don’t feel like just a number. Each of my patients has my direct cell phone number.

How do you handle emergencies or if you’re unavailable for any reason?

I work closely with trusted colleagues at Stanford Hospital to cover for me if my patient needs care while I’m away. I often go over 400 days without missing a delivery 🙂

How would you describe your approach to patient care? What sets you apart from other OBGYNs?

Because I limit my patient volume, I’m not on the brink of burnout. I’m not in a rush and always remember that when my patient comes into the hospital for birth, this is THEIR big day, not mine. I respect patient autonomy and do everything I can to ensure my patient has the birth experience they desire while never jeopardizing health and safety.

How do you incorporate patient preferences and values into your care plan, especially concerning birth plans?

I review birth plans directly with my patient. Since they know I will be delivering their baby, my patients don’t need to worry about whether or not the “on-call” doctor of a busy group practice has reviewed or supports their birth plan.

What is your stance on natural vs. medical interventions during childbirth?

My mom had three natural, unmedicated vaginal births. Like my mom, most of my patients want to minimize medical interventions. I fully support this approach, but as an Obstetrician, my job is to be fully prepared if an intervention is necessary for mom’s or baby’s health.

Do you work with high-risk pregnancies?

Yes. About 50% of my patients are considered “high-risk”.

How do you handle situations where the patient’s wishes conflict with medical advice or best practices?

I try to make sure patients know that any recommendation I make is 100% for the health and safety of their baby. As an Obstetrician who is not in a rush, works to minimize unnecessary interventions and respects patient autonomy, my patients tell me they trust me when I do have to recommend an intervention or plan that is something they had hoped to avoid.

How do you ensure effective communication with patients, especially those who might be anxious or unfamiliar with medical terms?

Another advantage of concierge Obstetric care is that I have time. I can break things down and explain things various ways until my patient has a clear understanding and feels comfortable.

How do you support mothers in the postpartum period, especially with regard to mental health?

I offer all patients 2 week, 4 week, and 6 week postpartum visits. We do formal screening for postpartum depression and anxiety but what really improves my ability to recognize and treat postpartum depression is having a close relationship with my patients. Many patients feel more comfortable discussing their mood and symptoms with a provider they know.

I provide recommendations to all my patients for resources that can help them during one of the most exciting and challenging times of life. This includes trusted professionals I know and have worked with over the years such as pediatricians, lactation consultants, pelvic floor physical therapists, postpartum doulas, and acupuncturists, etc.

What advice would you give to someone considering the concierge OBGYN model, both from a provider and patient perspective?

There are many great ObGyn’s in this country. Unfortunately, most of them work in a system that is less than ideal for both providers and patients. Most ObGyns see 20-30 patients per day in their office and could deliver 10-15 babies in one shift at the hospital! I see about 2-5 patients per day in my office and deliver, on average, less than 6 concierge OB patients per month. Unlike many physicians on the brink of burnout, I’m well-rested and have the bandwidth to listen and be available when patients need me.

Can you walk us through what is included in your care package?

We charge a one-time fee that covers all pregnancy care with me, including all prenatal visits, in-office ultrasounds at every appointment, delivery, and postpartum care. All other services, such as lab work, perinatology scans/monitoring, and hospital fees, are covered by insurance.

What is the best way for people interested in learning more about your practice to contact you?

Go to our website www.dedicatedpregnancycare.com, and send us a message.

Thank you so much, Justin, for joining us on this week’s blog. Justin is a wealth of knowledge, and his enthusiasm and care for his work are evident after a short conversation with him. If you are interested in exploring this care model further. We encourage you to reach out!