North Shore Community Partners

Dr. Tina Waugh, a family practice practitioner and primary care physician, helps to run a busy and diverse family practice group in Beverly with Dr. Gregory Snyder and Dr. Gail Ellis. Dr. Waugh makes health care planning a routine part of her practice because, as she says, “I see it as part of my checklist at the physical exam- check the vital signs, any changes in the family’s medical history, diet, exercise,”and I also ask, “have you done health care planning? ” Dr. Waugh has this conversation with every patient, 18 years old and older, at their annual physical examination. Choosing to make this conversation a routine part of the annual exam is rooted in Dr. Waugh’s strongly held belief “that every patient should have a Health Care Proxy, so I know who you want me to talk to if I can’t speak to you myself.” She also believes that by talking about this during every physical exam, the topic becomes something that patients expect her to talk about, and feel comfortable bringing up at other visits if they feel the need to. Dr. Waugh welcomes patient questions about making a health care plan and their preferences and choices for care. She talks with each patient about where to find planning documents like a Health Care Proxy and personal directive, and how to fill them out. Patients back bring the completed documents and Dr. Waugh scans a copy into their medical records.  She checks with the patient to see if there have been any changes in their medical condition or preferences for future care, and if so “we can make changes and keep the documents very current.”