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Jeffrey Tharp, MD

Specialties

Internal Medicine

Education & Training

Doctor of Medicine

Book an appointment

Jeffrey Tharp, MD

Internist with Wellstar since 1995.

Specialties

Internal Medicine

Education & Training

Doctor of Medicine

Internist with Wellstar since 1995
  • Member of the Wellstar Medical Group A friendly image of Jeffrey Tharp MD Jeffrey Tharp, MD
  • Office Locations
  • Expertise
  • Patient Reviews
  • Publications & Articles

Office Locations


Expertise

About Jeffrey Tharp, MD

Dr. Jeffrey Tharp currently serves as the Chief Medicine Division Officer for Wellstar Medical Group. Dr. Tharp received his bachelor’s degree in biology from Dartmouth College and his master of public health from Tulane University. He received his medical degree from the University of Tennessee – Memphis. Dr. Tharp completed his internal medicine residency with the University of Tennessee.
Caring for People Through the Journey of Life

Specialties

  • Internal Medicine

Education & Training

  • University of Tennessee School of Medicine

Degree

  • Doctor of Medicine

Residency

  • University of Tennessee Bowld Hosp

Certifications

  • American Board of Internal Medicine

Hospital Affiliations

  • Wellstar Paulding Medical Center

Languages spoken

  • English

Patient Reviews

Overall patient rating

4.8

Based on 372 patient ratings

I'd recommend this provider to family and friends
Listened to me carefully
I'd recommend this practice to family and friends
Shared the right amount of information
Earned my trust

All reviews have been submitted by patients after seeing the provider.For more information about the review system, check out this Learn more about our review system.

Patient Reviews

5

Great !!

May 9, 2025

5

Dr. Tharp is very caring and professional with his patients. I appreciate the needed time he gives to address my health concerns. P

May 7, 2025

5

Always very professional and willing to listen to what you are concerned about

May 5, 2025

5

Dr. Tharp is the best!

May 3, 2025

5

Dr Tharp is always soft spoken and very considerate with us old folks.

May 2, 2025

5

The personnel are always carrying. Would recommend practice to anyone.

April 18, 2025

5

Love Dr. Tharp...he listens and explains in common sense terms...always feel comfortable!

April 17, 2025

5

extremely professional friendly

April 18, 2025

5

Dr. Tharp always listens to my concerns and acts like he really cares for my well being.

April 16, 2025

5

This practice cares for my overall wellness

April 6, 2025

5

Dr Tharp is great! Listened to all my complaints and helped me a lot. Very nice person also and cares.

April 4, 2025

5

Unrelated to the Doctor and his staff but a big part of the experience is the lab. At the conclusion of my Dr.'s appointment, I waited an hour to have blood drawn and give a urine specimen. That is way too long and effects the overall experience. Also, this was not an isolated event. Each time it takes at least 30+ minutes to be seen by the lab.

April 3, 2025

5

Dr. Tharp and all his staff from check in to leaving are professional and so nice and kind and quickly put you at ease. Best Dr and staff ever

April 3, 2025

5

I've been seeing Dr. Tharp for many years. He literally knows me inside out. He is studied and listens. He is also very efficient. His staff emulates him.

April 3, 2025

5

Very pleasant staff

March 28, 2025

5

It is always a pleasure to deal with this office. The staff is friendly and helpful starting with the person who first greets you in the lobby. Everyone is very efficient and respectful. Shaia, the medical assistant did her workup. Before she left the room, she mentioned that if I needed further assistance while she was gone, all that I needed to do was to open the door and ask for help. I think that this was a very thoughtful thing to mention. Dr. Tharp was very professional and thorough as always.

March 26, 2025

5

Very friendly and very efficient, a very good visit

March 26, 2025

5

Another excellent experience with Dr. Tharp.

March 22, 2025

5

Always a great experience. Dr. Tharp is thorough and always follows up. He is always on time as well.

March 19, 2025

5

Excellent extensive knowledge base to appropriately care for patient's health maintenance.

March 12, 2025

5

I am glad to have Dr. Tharp as my primary care Dr. I feel I am in great hands

March 12, 2025

5

Very professional

March 12, 2025

5

Always great.

March 9, 2025

5

Dr recommended Covid vaccine due to my travel out of country in near future. I appreciated that comment.

March 2, 2025

5

Very pleased with everyone

March 1, 2025

5

It was fine

February 26, 2025

5

Covered all areas of concern.

February 26, 2025

5

Jeffrey Tharp has been my PCP for 20 years, maybe a little bit more than that. He is the best doctor that I have ever had. He is very professional, but yet very capable, very concerned. He exhibits the concern of someone who truly is concerned about you. He does not just jump at diagnoses or things of that nature. He's very thorough in his practice. I cannot recommend anyone more highly than I can recommend Dr. Jeffrey Tharp.

February 26, 2025

5

Dr. Tharp & his staff have been providing care for my husband & myself for over 30 years!!! He is an excellent physician & I recommend him to everyone I meet when asked who is a good physician in this area. I explain Dr Tharp is more than a "good doctor", I explain he is an EXCELLENT physician, with a kind, professional & reassuring bedside manner! I only wish that my parents/family lived here, so Dr Tharp could be their primary care physician!

February 24, 2025

5

Dr. Tharp is awesome and Shae my Medical assistant was very nice.

February 24, 2025

5

Great !!

May 9, 2025

5

Dr. Tharp is very caring and professional with his patients. I appreciate the needed time he gives to address my health concerns. P

May 7, 2025

5

Always very professional and willing to listen to what you are concerned about

May 5, 2025

5

Dr. Tharp is the best!

May 3, 2025

5

Dr Tharp is always soft spoken and very considerate with us old folks.

May 2, 2025

5

The personnel are always carrying. Would recommend practice to anyone.

April 18, 2025

5

Love Dr. Tharp...he listens and explains in common sense terms...always feel comfortable!

April 17, 2025

5

extremely professional friendly

April 18, 2025

5

Dr. Tharp always listens to my concerns and acts like he really cares for my well being.

April 16, 2025

5

This practice cares for my overall wellness

April 6, 2025

5

Dr Tharp is great! Listened to all my complaints and helped me a lot. Very nice person also and cares.

April 4, 2025

5

Unrelated to the Doctor and his staff but a big part of the experience is the lab. At the conclusion of my Dr.'s appointment, I waited an hour to have blood drawn and give a urine specimen. That is way too long and effects the overall experience. Also, this was not an isolated event. Each time it takes at least 30+ minutes to be seen by the lab.

April 3, 2025

5

Dr. Tharp and all his staff from check in to leaving are professional and so nice and kind and quickly put you at ease. Best Dr and staff ever

April 3, 2025

5

I've been seeing Dr. Tharp for many years. He literally knows me inside out. He is studied and listens. He is also very efficient. His staff emulates him.

April 3, 2025

5

Very pleasant staff

March 28, 2025

5

It is always a pleasure to deal with this office. The staff is friendly and helpful starting with the person who first greets you in the lobby. Everyone is very efficient and respectful. Shaia, the medical assistant did her workup. Before she left the room, she mentioned that if I needed further assistance while she was gone, all that I needed to do was to open the door and ask for help. I think that this was a very thoughtful thing to mention. Dr. Tharp was very professional and thorough as always.

March 26, 2025

5

Very friendly and very efficient, a very good visit

March 26, 2025

5

Another excellent experience with Dr. Tharp.

March 22, 2025

5

Always a great experience. Dr. Tharp is thorough and always follows up. He is always on time as well.

March 19, 2025

5

Excellent extensive knowledge base to appropriately care for patient's health maintenance.

March 12, 2025

5

I am glad to have Dr. Tharp as my primary care Dr. I feel I am in great hands

March 12, 2025

5

Very professional

March 12, 2025

5

Always great.

March 9, 2025

5

Dr recommended Covid vaccine due to my travel out of country in near future. I appreciated that comment.

March 2, 2025

5

Very pleased with everyone

March 1, 2025

5

It was fine

February 26, 2025

5

Covered all areas of concern.

February 26, 2025

5

Jeffrey Tharp has been my PCP for 20 years, maybe a little bit more than that. He is the best doctor that I have ever had. He is very professional, but yet very capable, very concerned. He exhibits the concern of someone who truly is concerned about you. He does not just jump at diagnoses or things of that nature. He's very thorough in his practice. I cannot recommend anyone more highly than I can recommend Dr. Jeffrey Tharp.

February 26, 2025

5

Dr. Tharp & his staff have been providing care for my husband & myself for over 30 years!!! He is an excellent physician & I recommend him to everyone I meet when asked who is a good physician in this area. I explain Dr Tharp is more than a "good doctor", I explain he is an EXCELLENT physician, with a kind, professional & reassuring bedside manner! I only wish that my parents/family lived here, so Dr Tharp could be their primary care physician!

February 24, 2025

5

Dr. Tharp is awesome and Shae my Medical assistant was very nice.

February 24, 2025

5

Great !!

May 9, 2025

5

Dr. Tharp is very caring and professional with his patients. I appreciate the needed time he gives to address my health concerns. P

May 7, 2025

5

Always very professional and willing to listen to what you are concerned about

May 5, 2025

5

Dr. Tharp is the best!

May 3, 2025

5

Dr Tharp is always soft spoken and very considerate with us old folks.

May 2, 2025

5

The personnel are always carrying. Would recommend practice to anyone.

April 18, 2025

5

Love Dr. Tharp...he listens and explains in common sense terms...always feel comfortable!

April 17, 2025

5

extremely professional friendly

April 18, 2025

5

Dr. Tharp always listens to my concerns and acts like he really cares for my well being.

April 16, 2025

5

This practice cares for my overall wellness

April 6, 2025

5

Dr Tharp is great! Listened to all my complaints and helped me a lot. Very nice person also and cares.

April 4, 2025

5

Unrelated to the Doctor and his staff but a big part of the experience is the lab. At the conclusion of my Dr.'s appointment, I waited an hour to have blood drawn and give a urine specimen. That is way too long and effects the overall experience. Also, this was not an isolated event. Each time it takes at least 30+ minutes to be seen by the lab.

April 3, 2025

5

Dr. Tharp and all his staff from check in to leaving are professional and so nice and kind and quickly put you at ease. Best Dr and staff ever

April 3, 2025

5

I've been seeing Dr. Tharp for many years. He literally knows me inside out. He is studied and listens. He is also very efficient. His staff emulates him.

April 3, 2025

5

Very pleasant staff

March 28, 2025

5

It is always a pleasure to deal with this office. The staff is friendly and helpful starting with the person who first greets you in the lobby. Everyone is very efficient and respectful. Shaia, the medical assistant did her workup. Before she left the room, she mentioned that if I needed further assistance while she was gone, all that I needed to do was to open the door and ask for help. I think that this was a very thoughtful thing to mention. Dr. Tharp was very professional and thorough as always.

March 26, 2025

5

Very friendly and very efficient, a very good visit

March 26, 2025

5

Another excellent experience with Dr. Tharp.

March 22, 2025

5

Always a great experience. Dr. Tharp is thorough and always follows up. He is always on time as well.

March 19, 2025

5

Excellent extensive knowledge base to appropriately care for patient's health maintenance.

March 12, 2025

5

I am glad to have Dr. Tharp as my primary care Dr. I feel I am in great hands

March 12, 2025

5

Very professional

March 12, 2025

5

Always great.

March 9, 2025

5

Dr recommended Covid vaccine due to my travel out of country in near future. I appreciated that comment.

March 2, 2025

5

Very pleased with everyone

March 1, 2025

5

It was fine

February 26, 2025

5

Covered all areas of concern.

February 26, 2025

5

Jeffrey Tharp has been my PCP for 20 years, maybe a little bit more than that. He is the best doctor that I have ever had. He is very professional, but yet very capable, very concerned. He exhibits the concern of someone who truly is concerned about you. He does not just jump at diagnoses or things of that nature. He's very thorough in his practice. I cannot recommend anyone more highly than I can recommend Dr. Jeffrey Tharp.

February 26, 2025

5

Dr. Tharp & his staff have been providing care for my husband & myself for over 30 years!!! He is an excellent physician & I recommend him to everyone I meet when asked who is a good physician in this area. I explain Dr Tharp is more than a "good doctor", I explain he is an EXCELLENT physician, with a kind, professional & reassuring bedside manner! I only wish that my parents/family lived here, so Dr Tharp could be their primary care physician!

February 24, 2025

5

Dr. Tharp is awesome and Shae my Medical assistant was very nice.

February 24, 2025

5

Great !!

May 9, 2025

5

Dr. Tharp is very caring and professional with his patients. I appreciate the needed time he gives to address my health concerns. P

May 7, 2025

5

Always very professional and willing to listen to what you are concerned about

May 5, 2025

5

Dr. Tharp is the best!

May 3, 2025

5

Dr Tharp is always soft spoken and very considerate with us old folks.

May 2, 2025

5

extremely professional friendly

April 18, 2025

5

The personnel are always carrying. Would recommend practice to anyone.

April 18, 2025

5

Love Dr. Tharp...he listens and explains in common sense terms...always feel comfortable!

April 17, 2025

5

Dr. Tharp always listens to my concerns and acts like he really cares for my well being.

April 16, 2025

5

This practice cares for my overall wellness

April 6, 2025

5

Dr Tharp is great! Listened to all my complaints and helped me a lot. Very nice person also and cares.

April 4, 2025

5

Unrelated to the Doctor and his staff but a big part of the experience is the lab. At the conclusion of my Dr.'s appointment, I waited an hour to have blood drawn and give a urine specimen. That is way too long and effects the overall experience. Also, this was not an isolated event. Each time it takes at least 30+ minutes to be seen by the lab.

April 3, 2025

5

I've been seeing Dr. Tharp for many years. He literally knows me inside out. He is studied and listens. He is also very efficient. His staff emulates him.

April 3, 2025

5

Dr. Tharp and all his staff from check in to leaving are professional and so nice and kind and quickly put you at ease. Best Dr and staff ever

April 3, 2025

5

Very pleasant staff

March 28, 2025

5

It is always a pleasure to deal with this office. The staff is friendly and helpful starting with the person who first greets you in the lobby. Everyone is very efficient and respectful. Shaia, the medical assistant did her workup. Before she left the room, she mentioned that if I needed further assistance while she was gone, all that I needed to do was to open the door and ask for help. I think that this was a very thoughtful thing to mention. Dr. Tharp was very professional and thorough as always.

March 26, 2025

5

Very friendly and very efficient, a very good visit

March 26, 2025

5

Another excellent experience with Dr. Tharp.

March 22, 2025

5

Always a great experience. Dr. Tharp is thorough and always follows up. He is always on time as well.

March 19, 2025

5

Excellent extensive knowledge base to appropriately care for patient's health maintenance.

March 12, 2025

5

I am glad to have Dr. Tharp as my primary care Dr. I feel I am in great hands

March 12, 2025

5

Very professional

March 12, 2025

5

Always great.

March 9, 2025

5

Dr recommended Covid vaccine due to my travel out of country in near future. I appreciated that comment.

March 2, 2025

5

Very pleased with everyone

March 1, 2025

5

Jeffrey Tharp has been my PCP for 20 years, maybe a little bit more than that. He is the best doctor that I have ever had. He is very professional, but yet very capable, very concerned. He exhibits the concern of someone who truly is concerned about you. He does not just jump at diagnoses or things of that nature. He's very thorough in his practice. I cannot recommend anyone more highly than I can recommend Dr. Jeffrey Tharp.

February 26, 2025

5

It was fine

February 26, 2025

5

Covered all areas of concern.

February 26, 2025

5

Dr. Tharp & his staff have been providing care for my husband & myself for over 30 years!!! He is an excellent physician & I recommend him to everyone I meet when asked who is a good physician in this area. I explain Dr Tharp is more than a "good doctor", I explain he is an EXCELLENT physician, with a kind, professional & reassuring bedside manner! I only wish that my parents/family lived here, so Dr Tharp could be their primary care physician!

February 24, 2025

5

Dr. Tharp is awesome and Shae my Medical assistant was very nice.

February 24, 2025

5

Dr. Tharp is awesome and Shae my Medical assistant was very nice.

February 24, 2025

5

Dr. Tharp & his staff have been providing care for my husband & myself for over 30 years!!! He is an excellent physician & I recommend him to everyone I meet when asked who is a good physician in this area. I explain Dr Tharp is more than a "good doctor", I explain he is an EXCELLENT physician, with a kind, professional & reassuring bedside manner! I only wish that my parents/family lived here, so Dr Tharp could be their primary care physician!

February 24, 2025

5

Covered all areas of concern.

February 26, 2025

5

It was fine

February 26, 2025

5

Jeffrey Tharp has been my PCP for 20 years, maybe a little bit more than that. He is the best doctor that I have ever had. He is very professional, but yet very capable, very concerned. He exhibits the concern of someone who truly is concerned about you. He does not just jump at diagnoses or things of that nature. He's very thorough in his practice. I cannot recommend anyone more highly than I can recommend Dr. Jeffrey Tharp.

February 26, 2025

5

Very pleased with everyone

March 1, 2025

5

Dr recommended Covid vaccine due to my travel out of country in near future. I appreciated that comment.

March 2, 2025

5

Always great.

March 9, 2025

5

Very professional

March 12, 2025

5

I am glad to have Dr. Tharp as my primary care Dr. I feel I am in great hands

March 12, 2025

5

Excellent extensive knowledge base to appropriately care for patient's health maintenance.

March 12, 2025

5

Always a great experience. Dr. Tharp is thorough and always follows up. He is always on time as well.

March 19, 2025

5

Another excellent experience with Dr. Tharp.

March 22, 2025

5

Very friendly and very efficient, a very good visit

March 26, 2025

5

It is always a pleasure to deal with this office. The staff is friendly and helpful starting with the person who first greets you in the lobby. Everyone is very efficient and respectful. Shaia, the medical assistant did her workup. Before she left the room, she mentioned that if I needed further assistance while she was gone, all that I needed to do was to open the door and ask for help. I think that this was a very thoughtful thing to mention. Dr. Tharp was very professional and thorough as always.

March 26, 2025

5

Very pleasant staff

March 28, 2025

5

Dr. Tharp and all his staff from check in to leaving are professional and so nice and kind and quickly put you at ease. Best Dr and staff ever

April 3, 2025

5

I've been seeing Dr. Tharp for many years. He literally knows me inside out. He is studied and listens. He is also very efficient. His staff emulates him.

April 3, 2025

5

Unrelated to the Doctor and his staff but a big part of the experience is the lab. At the conclusion of my Dr.'s appointment, I waited an hour to have blood drawn and give a urine specimen. That is way too long and effects the overall experience. Also, this was not an isolated event. Each time it takes at least 30+ minutes to be seen by the lab.

April 3, 2025

5

Dr Tharp is great! Listened to all my complaints and helped me a lot. Very nice person also and cares.

April 4, 2025

5

This practice cares for my overall wellness

April 6, 2025

5

Dr. Tharp always listens to my concerns and acts like he really cares for my well being.

April 16, 2025

5

Love Dr. Tharp...he listens and explains in common sense terms...always feel comfortable!

April 17, 2025

5

The personnel are always carrying. Would recommend practice to anyone.

April 18, 2025

5

extremely professional friendly

April 18, 2025

5

Dr Tharp is always soft spoken and very considerate with us old folks.

May 2, 2025

5

Dr. Tharp is the best!

May 3, 2025

5

Always very professional and willing to listen to what you are concerned about

May 5, 2025

5

Dr. Tharp is very caring and professional with his patients. I appreciate the needed time he gives to address my health concerns. P

May 7, 2025

5

Great !!

May 9, 2025

Publications and Articles

Person in kayak

Make Prostate Health Your Habit

Quick history lesson: In the 1990s, U.S. doctors adopted the prostate-specific antigen test—or PSA—to identify prostate cancer early, when it’s more treatable. While the PSA helped more men get diagnosed, concern was raised over the risks versus benefits of biopsies, procedures and treatment. In response, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force gave a controversial recommendation against routine screening with PSA in 2012.

But with new evidence from a variety of credible studies, they changed their recommendation in 2017. The current Task Force recommendation focuses on men having a conversation with their doctors about their risk for prostate cancer and the risks and benefits of screening.

Why did the guidelines change?

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in males after skin cancer. The American Cancer Society projects that there will be more than twice as many prostate cancer cases diagnosed in men as lung cancer this year.

“The prevalence of the disease cannot be ignored,” said Dr. Jeffrey Tharp, a primary care physician and chief medicine division officer for Wellstar Medical Group. “Early-stage prostate cancer has higher survivability than prostate cancer diagnosed in later stages.”

Dr. Tharp pointed out that while guidelines have changed, so have the way doctors diagnose and treat prostate cancer. An elevated PSA does not automatically mean a cancer diagnosis. And when cancer is diagnosed, some care options have no side effects.

Read on to learn:

  • Who should have a conversation with their doctor about prostate cancer screening, and when
  • Who is at higher risk
  • How the reason that’s holding some men back has changed
  • What is a PSA and why having them at regular intervals is important
  • Care options for prostate cancer
Continue reading this article
The Atlanta Business Chronicle sat down with Wellstar leaders to discuss creating a more inclusive healthcare future for all.

Overcoming obstacles: How one health system is creating a more inclusive health care future

This article was originally published on Atlanta Business Chronicle on January 6, 2024.

Primary care is the initial and ongoing healthcare individuals receive from pediatricians, internal medicine or family care providers from prevention to the management of common health issues. Primary care fosters enduring patient-clinician relationships and facilitates specialized care when needed. Insufficient primary care can lead to delayed or inadequate medical attention, resulting in undetected health issues, unmanaged chronic conditions and increased reliance on emergency services—which can have significant cost impacts.

Without a robust primary care system, preventive measures, early intervention and continuity of care are compromised, contributing to poorer health outcomes, higher healthcare costs and strain on emergency resources. According to data compiled by the Kaiser Family Foundation, approximately 3.3 million—a third of Georgians— reside in an area grappling with a shortage of primary care. Recognizing the urgency and importance of addressing this issue, leaders from Wellstar Health System joined the Atlanta Business Chronicle for a panel discussion. The conversation delved into the crucial significance of primary care and the challenges that persist, shedding light on the need for strategic solutions in healthcare management.

Panelists & moderator


The Atlanta Business Chronicle sat down with Wellstar leaders to discuss creating a more inclusive healthcare future for all.

  • Elise Lockamy-Kassim, AVP, Community Health & Center for Health Equity, Wellstar Health System
  • Dr. Dean Seehusen, chair of Family & Community Medicine, Wellstar MCG Health
  • Dr. Jeffrey Tharp, chief medicine division officer, Wellstar Medical Group
  • David Rubinger, market president and publisher, Atlanta Business Chronicle

Reaching the population avoiding medical care

David Rubinger: What strategies can community health providers use to reach out to individuals who haven’t sought medical care until they end up in the emergency room with a chronic condition? What specific approaches does Wellstar employ to effectively bring people into the healthcare system in a more manageable and proactive manner?

Dr. Jeffrey Tharp: Outreach is pivotal in addressing the root issues you mentioned. We understand that a person’s health significantly influences their lifestyle and quality of life. At Wellstar, we actively raise awareness, an integral part of the fabric that emphasizes the importance of a healthier lifestyle. Interestingly, insurance companies play a role in this by recognizing the cost benefits of keeping individuals healthy. Many insured individuals receive outreach, even in their homes, encouraging health assessments and connecting with primary care physicians.

Wellstar conducts numerous community campaigns through various channels, including community events, the media and in our offices and hospitals, highlighting the value of maintaining health and establishing a relationship with a primary care physician.

Elise Lockamy-Kassim: To add on to what Dr. Tharp said about reaching out to the community, we know health results are driven by non-health issues. The majority of our health outcomes are attributed to other things like where we live, where we go to work, where we send our children. Health literacy is needed outside health providers’ offices. Wellstar partners with organizations like Ser Familia to reach Spanish speakers and connect them with health resources in their community. Another example is our partnership with BLKHLTH. African Americans are about 20% more likely to get colorectal cancer and about 40% more likely to die from it than most other groups according to the American Cancer Society. Together, we distribute colorectal cancer kits to the community members that enable them to test and get results at home.

Rubinger: What factors contribute to men’s lower likelihood of seeking medical attention?

Dr. Dean Seehusen: It hasn’t been a cultural norm in America for men to seek out healthcare.  I think part of it is also about the interaction that families have had with medicine over the years. Women get screening tests at a much younger age than men, like pap smears and mammograms, on a regular, ongoing basis. Considering traditional family dynamics, who also takes children to the doctor? Traditionally, it was the mother. She was going to the doctor herself annually, and men waited until they had chest pain for the first time. There wasn’t that equivalent of an annual exam associated with screening tests that men had in customary American medicine.

Rubinger: I’ve noticed a positive shift in the American health community acknowledging and addressing the reluctance of men to prioritize health check-ups. Recent advertising featuring athletes, unconventional in traditional public service ads, indicates a cultural change. How do you perceive the impact of technological advancements in further influencing the healthcare narrative and possibly addressing the healthcare-seeking behavior within the male dynamic?

Lockamy-Kassim: If I put on an equity lens, I could think of the male population as an underserved group in healthcare in certain ways. We’re addressing that, especially in the Center for Health Equity here at Wellstar, because we are bringing care, awareness, health literacy and health education to people where they are.

We’ve had many campaigns with people at churches and social service agencies where they just live their lives. We will bring the healthcare to you and that represents a shift. Across the industry, we’re returning it to where it used to be when you had a doctor make house calls. We see the benefits of that model.

Telemedicine and accessibility

Rubinger: Amid the challenges of COVID, a silver lining is the increased accessibility of healthcare through telemedicine. The positive aspect lies in the enhanced efficiency of interactions and features like online scheduling. How has that changed how you all practice medicine?

Dr. Seehusen: Wellstar is leading the way in telehealth. We are contacting many rural parts of Georgia, not just the Augusta or Atlanta area. There’s a statewide network that we are reaching out to via telehealth that includes ICU and emergency care, and we’re even doing a lot of hospital-type care at home now. It’s paving the way for the future of what healthcare can look like.

On the flip side, when we try to deliver primary care via telemedicine, equity becomes an issue. There is a subset of our patients who do not have the hardware or do not live in a neighborhood that has Wi-Fi connectivity. There is still work to be done on the primary care side with telemedicine. Once you get into the more specialized care, we’re doing some fantastic things that I’m proud of.

Dr. Tharp: To echo Dr. Seehusen, what has been done at Augusta University has really led the way for much of what the rest of us have learned along the way.  Virtual care is a skill set that primary care physicians rarely had before COVID—how to perform it or what was appropriate to do via telemedicine.

The access issue is a double-edged sword. It does help some people, but on the other hand, there are areas where broadband is not great, or you have elderly folks who may not know technology. We must ensure that we give appropriate care when it needs to be in-person versus virtually and provide access to technology to as many people as possible who can’t afford that luxury.

Lockamy-Kassim: Evolving patient needs have forced us to grow as innovatively and quickly as the industry grows. In a church setting, we provide broadband hotspots, laptops and free services to individuals we encounter. You’re going to learn the signs and symptoms of whatever health topic we’re addressing. We will give you the tools to access primary care. We’ve had to be creative with our funding and partnerships to make sure we’re not creating more inequity as we pursue this new space.

Dr. Tharp: An example of patient care improvement as a result of the pandemic, particularly with the diabetes epidemic, is the advent and promotion of virtual diabetic education classes. Previously, multi-hour comprehensive diabetic classes could be difficult to schedule with respect to work and family responsibilities and transportation. Having the ability to do all that virtually has increased people’s knowledge, and we’re seeing metrics improve in diabetic control, almost to the same degree as adding on another medicine. It’s a vivid example of how we’ve been able to use this technology and help people’s lives on the primary care side.

The value of having a primary care physician

Rubinger: Unfortunately, people would use their emergency room as their primary care physician. What can be done to help educate people on where they should go first, and how do you decide which care is best for your medical situation?

Tharp: There are different values when having a relationship with a primary care physician, such as access, quality of care and individualized care. When starting that relationship, there’s often an access problem since there are so few primary care physicians in the state and nation to accommodate our needs.

One tactic in building relationships with patients is connecting them with a specific physician or practice when they visit the emergency room. Although the process isn’t perfect, having a designated contact helps streamline communication. When a patient is identified, the initial step is knowing who to call, and from there, the referral process can begin. While it may not always be as fast as desired, establishing this relationship can also involve routing the referral through an urgent care facility in some instances. Having your own primary care physician can help you overcome some of the difficulty in navigating the U.S. healthcare system.  Those benefits we see with that primary care patient relationship must start with knowing who to call.

Seehusen: Once a patient has experienced primary care with a provider they regularly see, establishing a relationship with true continuity occurs. This provider ideally knows not just the patient but also their entire family and medical history. It’s about getting them into the door. Then, we must develop systems where, again, access exists. The faces are stable enough that even if it’s not the same one face, it’s at least a small team of clinicians who are seeing that patient repeatedly.

A small team might be made of one physician and a couple of nurse practitioners and that small team really gets to know that patient and vice versa. You won’t have to convince those patients of the value of primary care. Those patients are much less likely to show up at an urgent care center or the emergency room because they know they want to see that team.

Lockamy-Kassim: While conducting our Community Health Needs Assessment, we held a Community Summit—a community-centered event similar to a focus group. With community members in each of our service areas, we identified access to care as a critical community challenge. One of the first aspects they mentioned as being the best asset in their community was the presence of a Wellstar Graduate Medical Education clinic or primary care facility. We know that neighborhoods are comprised differently. One of the ways that we can make entry points for primary care instead of the emergency room is to have primary care facilities in high-need ZIP codes.

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Illustration of scoreboard in stadium. Text reads "Hey man, know your stats, PSA < 4.0"

Did You Know Prostate Cancer Screening Has Changed? Find Out Why It’s Better Now.

Quick history lesson: In the 1990s, U.S. doctors adopted the prostate-specific antigen test—or PSA—to identify prostate cancer early, when it’s more treatable. While the PSA helped more men get diagnosed, concern was raised over the risks versus benefits of biopsies, procedures and treatment. In response, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force gave a controversial recommendation against routine screening with PSA in 2012.

But with new evidence from a variety of credible studies, they changed their recommendation in 2017. The current Task Force recommendation focuses on men having a conversation with their doctors about their risk for prostate cancer and the risks and benefits of screening.

Why did the guidelines change?

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in males after skin cancer. According to projections by the American Cancer Society, there will be twice as many new prostate cancer cases diagnosed as lung cancer this year.

“The prevalence of the disease cannot be ignored,” said Wellstar Health System Chief of Primary Care and Medicine Service Line Dr. Jeffrey Tharp, a primary care physician. “Early-stage prostate cancer has higher survivability than prostate cancer diagnosed in later stages.”

Dr. Tharp pointed out that while guidelines have changed, so have the way doctors diagnose and treat prostate cancer. An elevated PSA does not automatically mean a cancer diagnosis. And when cancer is diagnosed, some care options have no side effects.

Read on to learn:

  • Who should have a conversation with their doctor about prostate cancer screening, and when
  • Who is at higher risk
  • How the reason that’s holding some men back has changed
  • What is a PSA and why having them at regular intervals is important
  • Care options for prostate cancer
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Jeffrey Tharp, MD
Internist with Wellstar since 1995
Rating
4.8
Specialties
Internal Medicine
Education
Doctor of Medicine
Medical School
University of Tennessee School of Medicine
Residency
University of Tennessee Bowld Hosp
Certifications
American Board of Internal Medicine
Spoken Languages
English
Hospital Affiliations
Wellstar Paulding Medical Center
Office Locations
www.wellstar.org/physicians/jeffrey-tharp-md
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