Prof. Ami Sperber
Gastroenterologist, Specialist in Disorders of the Digestive Tract
Prof. Ami Sperber specializes in disorders of the digestive tract, especially the functional disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
His approach to medicine is based on the belief that while symptoms and diseases have clear physical elements, they are also often affected significantly by emotional aspects. Thus, his approach to patients is to listen to them with empathy and to take into consideration any and all factors that might be related to their suffering.
Following the diagnostic testing (which is as minimal as possible) the treatment phase begins. Treatment is seen as a partnership between the patient and the physician. This includes formulating expectations from treatment, defining realistic treatment goals together, and evaluating alternative treatment options (taking into the account the possibility of using medications, non-medication treatment, or a combination of the two). This enables the patient to make educated decisions about treatment and to develop a treatment strategy that is agreed upon by both the patient and the physician and best suited to the patient.
In many cases treatment will include cooperation with other professional healthcare providers such as dieticians, psychologists, physical therapists, and qualified practitioners of complementary and alternative medicine, with Prof. Sperber serving, together with the patient, as a central pivot in the treatment process. Therefore, treatment does not usually involve a one-time consultation, but rather continuity of care with follow-up visits as required by the patient