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Dr. Sarah K. Pohlmann, internal medicine, has been named one of Seattle magazine’s Top Doctors for 2024.

 

 

Why did you pick your specialty?

I’ve always loved solving puzzles, and primary care internal medicine is fundamentally a puzzle-solving specialty. Patients can present with almost any symptom, and it is my job to collect information, assess severity and to make a plan with the patient about how to manage the issue. I have always been curious, and continue to find my patients endlessly interesting.

What do you wish people knew about it?

Internists are trained to evaluate, diagnose and manage medically complex patients. Primary care internists in particular often function as a quarterback for patients who are seeing many doctors, helping explain and implement the recommendations of subspecialists. One of the most rewarding aspects of this specialty is the opportunity to build lifelong relationships with our patients.

How do you support patients with their mental health concerns?

Addressing any concerns has to start with listening. I think it is important to differentiate between issues of general mental health and well-being and those of serious mental illness.

How is technology changing health care?

While technological innovations have improved certain aspects of patient care tremendously, the adoption of the electronic medical record has been a mixed bag for patients and physicians. The ever-present computer can be a barrier to establishing a solid relationship with a patient, and the instant communication of all results to patients can be devastating when bad news is received without professional guidance.

What is the healthiest habit for a patient?

Don’t smoke. If you smoke, quit. More generally, healthy habits can be seen as a pattern of consistently making good decisions. Eating healthy food, getting plenty of exercise and enough rest, and making choices to interact with people and not spend too much time on devices are all decisions that everyone can make every day.

What questions do you wish patients would ask?

At times, patients are hesitant to ask their most important questions directly and explicitly. This can be from anxiety, embarrassment, fear of being judged or trouble articulating their concerns. I encourage every patient to be as upfront as possible about what their worries are. The most important question is the one you are most worried about — go ahead and ask it!

What do you do for your own personal wellness?

I relax best by moving outdoors, and enjoy running, cross-country skiing and hiking. As a family, we thrive on outdoor adventures and travel. Closer to home, I spend downtime reading, cooking and gardening.