SDCMS Leadership Spotlight
SDP: Have you always wanted to be a physician?
Dr. Wailes: Ever since high school. During my senior year, I joined a group called Medical Explorers, which allowed me to follow a doctor around for a day. He was a neurosurgeon, and I just thought it was the coolest thing in the world. From that point on, I was pre-med.
SDP: What is your specialty and mode of practice?
Dr. Wailes: I’m a pain medicine specialist. I’m part of a small group called the Pacific Pain Medicine Consultants located in North County. Our practice consists of three physicians and two physician assistants. We do a full range of services dealing with pain management. We like to think of ourselves as a multi-disciplinary program that treats just about any type of pain problem.
SDP: What is your opinion on evidence-based medicine?
Dr. Wailes: It’s a wonderful concept but evidence-based medicine only covers a fraction of the choices we have in our day-to-day practices. It’s a shame, but it’s a reality that we don’t have good research outcome data on most of what we do. In my field, many of the things I come across are extremely difficult to study. It is nearly impossible to do double-blinded research on topics like spine fusion. Also, many studies require a large number of participants, and it’s just not practical to get the research done. So, while I’m a big believer in evidence-based medicine, I also know there are very severe limitations in its application.
SDP: What are the challenges or frustrations you experience in your practice?
Dr. Wailes: The biggest challenge is having to deal with insurance companies. Oftentimes, we are limited in the care we want to provide our patients because it conflicts with the insurance companies’ guidelines. This has to do with everything from the selection of medications to certain procedures that are chosen. It’s frustrating because we want to do the best for our patients with the least harm, but we can’t always practice that way because of insurance restrictions. We see example where insurance companies opt for the bigger, more expensive, more complicated, and frequently less-satisfying procedures that are the least cost effective, but have been around for a long time.
SDP: When did you join SDCMS-CMA and why?
Dr. Wailes: I joined SDCMS-CMA in 1993. I joined for one big reason: The fact that organized medicine is our only hope to produce change. I wanted to be a contributor, and I knew that I needed to be a part of the team. I’ve always been interested in the economics and finance of healthcare and in the politics of healthcare legislation. After a while of being involved on the county level as I have been, it just tends to grow on you.
SDP: Why should other doctors become involved with organized medicine?
Dr. Wailes: I believe it’s our responsibility as physicians to support our patients and our chosen profession. It’s only through organized medicine that we have the format and ability to make effective change in the quality of care and access to care for our patients. It is also our responsibility to promote a supportive career path for the providers that give patients care.
SDP: With what thoughts would you like to leave your constituents in the Encinitas/Carlsbad area?
Dr. Wailes: Be part of the team; be part of the solution. I hope you’re all concerned about the issues that confront us every day. You can be rest assured that there are a number of organizations, from the county to the state to the national level, that are working to improve the issues that trouble most physicians. Organized medicine is the best format to present your opinions, to be persuasive, and to work for your goals. What better way to achieve your goals than with the support of an entire medical association behind you. That’s why it’s important for all doctors to be part of the team.