The Patient-Doctor Relationship in an Evolving Cardiology Practice

The Patient-Doctor Relationship in an Evolving Cardiology Practice

From The Clinical Excellence Podcast by Adam Cifu, MD

February 10, 2026 · 14 min · Episode 67

About this episode

Dr. Adam Cifu and Dr. Amber Johnson discuss the evolution of the patient-doctor relationship in cardiology, focusing on trust and shared decision making.

Dr. Adam Cifu sits down with cardiologist Dr. Amber Johnson to peel back the curtain on what happens behind the clinic door. Dr. Johnson gets candid about her career evolution, from the reserved, impersonal style she once thought was required of a doctor to a physician who now shares personal experiences to build trust with patients. The two dive into the silent tug-of-war of shared decision making. They explore the challenge of patients who prefer not to choose their treatment path, a hurdle Dr. Johnson encountered firsthand with veterans who were more likely to ask her to simply tell them what to do. It is a raw look at the ego check required when a patient makes a choice the doctor disagrees with and why the most "difficult" cases often lead to the greatest professional joy.

People in this episode

Host: Adam Cifu

Guest: Amber Johnson

Topics covered

  • patient-doctor relationship
  • cardiology practice
  • shared decision making
  • trust building
  • career evolution

Keywords

  • patient-doctor relationship
  • cardiology
  • shared decision making
  • trust
  • veterans

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: cardiology, veterans

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