Anna Konopka, an 84-year-old medical doctor originally from Poland and currently practicing in New London, New Hampshire, has lost her license for refusing to practice what she calls “electronic medicine.” Get this, rather than keep electronic records or record patient data on a computer, she handwrites her patient records and keeps them in file cabinets. You know, those big tall things with drawers that pull out? Good for her!
Asked why she hasn’t learned how to use a computer she says, “Because electronic medicine is for the system, not for the patients. The system is destroying human relations between the doctor and the patient. They practice electronic medicine, I practice medical art. I treat the patient. And I’m not going to compromise the patient’s health or life for the system.”1
“The allegations against Konopka started in October 2014 when a complaint brought to the New Hampshire Board of Medicine accused her of ‘improper prescribing practices’ regarding a child patient, according to the state. After an investigation into the allegation, the board reprimanded Konopka in May.”2
The board would go on to receive additional complaints about her record keeping, prescribing practices, and medical decision making.
Konopka denies any misconduct but signed a voluntary surrender of license in September because she said she was told if he didn’t, they would take it away.
In early October, Konopka requested an injunction from the court so she could continue her practice, saying she had surrendered her license under duress. However, the judge said that Konopka failed to show she was pressured into surrendering the license. And so, on November 22nd she filed a motion asking the judge to reconsider. She also filed affidavits from 30 of her patients who wrote letters on her behalf.
“I cannot get too upset. I’m not devastated with that. I think that people are doing certain things against me. They are part of the political system, you know. I’m coping with the system. If you are not with system, the system considers you enemy of system, because you are out of the system. Therefore, asenemy of the system, you have to be destroyed.”3
Unless the judge reverses his decision, “Konopka won’t be able to see the 20 to 25 patients per week who used to come to her practice, where she works alone and charges patients $50.“4
One of Konopka’s patients is trying to find a pro bono lawyer for her since $50 a patient doesn’t buy much of a lawyer.
Obviously, Konopka’s patients prefer her and her practice because of the individual attention they receive. And their loyalty proves it. We wish her the best of luck. We need more physicians just like her.
