Dr Temitope Oyetunji

27/11/2025

I'm expecting my third baby, so congratulations are in order. Three babies in one year. Phew!

Now, before anyone faints on my behalf, let me clarify.

I’m not talking about crying, pooping, sleep-stealing babies.

I’m talking about the babies born from expertise, creativity, and purpose.

Because when you really think about it, the products of your mind are also babies.

You conceive them, deliver them, nurture them, watch them grow,
and sometimes they even produce new ideas (babies) of their own.

And so, today, I’m happy to announce I’m already in the third trimester with my third baby:

The Smart New Parent.

This book is the newest addition to The Smart Patient series:

It's a patient handbook designed to arm every new or intending parent with the knowledge they need to navigate that delicate, overwhelming, beautiful first month of life.

It covers everything you need from pre-conception, through pregnancy, delivery, and the first month of your baby’s life
the period when even the smallest decisions feel like life-defining moments.

And just like real babies are not made alone, this one won’t be either.
I'll be partnering with Pediatricians on this project, and I am genuinely excited about the depth, wisdom, and practicality this collaboration will bring.

So please, be excited for me, anticipate with me, and prepare to welcome this new baby when it finally arrives.

Whether for yourself, or for young couples you care about,
This book will make a far more meaningful gift than diapers 😀
Knowledge lasts longer than a pack of Huggies.😉

The Smart New Parent is coming.
And I can’t wait for you to read it.

PS: Gemini really did a great job with this baby bump, didn’t it? 😁

09/11/2025

Every single time we discharge a patient from the hospital, we say the same thing:

“Please come back for your follow-up visit.”

Guess how many actually show up?
You guessed right, just a few.
And that’s not new.

Jesus healed ten l***rs.
How many came back for their own follow-up?
Just one.

Nine vanished with their healing.
One returned, and Scripture says he was made whole - he got an extra fix.

That one follow-up made a difference.
The same is true in healthcare.

Here’s what happens when you show up for for follow-ups 👇🏾

1️⃣ You get to raise concerns you forgot earlier.

Maybe you remembered a new symptom or question after your last visit. Follow-up is your chance to clarify, not Google.

2️⃣ Your doctor gets to complete the conversation.

Sometimes, there are results or updates they need to review. Follow-up gives both of you time to tie up loose ends.

3️⃣ You can discuss side effects and medication doubts.

If something feels off or unclear, this is the safest time to talk about it. Don’t stop your medications quietly; ask questions and clarify your doubts.

4️⃣ You receive further instructions or reassurance.

Just like the one l***r, your doctor might give additional steps or the comforting words you need to move forward with confidence.

So, next time your doctor says,
“Come back for follow-up,”
don’t roll your eyes or think,
“But I already feel fine.”

Follow-up is not a formality.
That extra visit can make a difference.

Be a Smart Patient.
Don’t skip your follow-ups.

Because...

02/11/2025

If you check online to verify what your doctor tells you, here’s something you should know:

You are not the first to do so.

The Bible says of the Berean Christians that “they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”

They didn’t just believe Paul because he was a respected Apostle, with signs and wonders to prove his calling.

They believed him because they verified.

And that, right there, is wisdom.
Verification is not rebellion. It’s responsibility.

And that same attitude is critical in healthcare today.

Last week, my own sister (who should have the most confidence in my expertise🤭) sent me a test result to interpret.
I did.

The next morning, she forwarded the reply of an AI tool she had used to analyse the same result.

And there seemed to be a discrepancy between what I told her and what the AI said.

So, I took the time to explain further.
Not to prove who was right, but to help her understand the context behind my interpretation.

That is the healthcare landscape we live in now
one where information is abundant, but interpretation is everything.

If you are someone who cross-checks medical advice online, here are a few things to keep in mind 👇🏾

1️⃣ Delay searching until after your consultation.

When you Google your symptoms before seeing a doctor, you risk drowning in fear and confusion. Let your doctor narrow down the possibilities first, carry out necessary tests, and provide context. Then you can verify intelligently.

2️⃣ If you see conflicting information, don’t panic or assume incompetence.

That is what follow-ups are for. Go back and ask questions. A good doctor will appreciate your curiosity and help you understand why a certain interpretation applies to you specifically.

3️⃣ Don’t base critical health decisions solely on online content.

Medical information online is general. In the consulting room, the medical information you are given is specific for you. If you ever feel unsure about your doctor’s advice, instead of turning to Google, seek a second opinion from another doctor.

4️⃣ Use online tools as adjuncts, not replacements.

AI, apps, and symptom checkers can be great at providing education, reminders, or risk assessments. But they don’t know you: your history, allergies, or lab context. Let them assist your care, not lead it.

The Bereans checked the Scriptures after receiving the message, not before hearing Paul out.

Be like them: curious, not cynical.
Wise, not fearful.

Be a Smart Patient.
Don’t leave your health to chance.

26/10/2025

Your body gives prophecies, and only doctors are trained to interpret them.

The Bible often talks about signs, signals that point to something greater.

Sometimes they were warnings, sometimes promises.
Sometimes proof that something divine was unfolding.

When Jesus was born, the wise men saw His star in the East - a sign.

But here’s the interesting thing: the star was not hidden.

Everyone else could have seen it too.

But only those who understood signs knew what it meant.

That’s how it works in healthcare too.

Doctors are trained to read the signs your body gives - the ones that don’t mean much to everyone else.

They know a yellow tinge in the eyes could be prophesying a liver issue.

Swollen ankles might speak of heart or kidney trouble.

A tremor, a rash, a change in the way you walk, these are all signs pointing to something beneath the surface.

That is why a physical examination is a must in every consultation.

If your doctor skips it, don’t panic, just say these simple words:

“Doctor, will you be examining me?”

Not because you doubt them, but because you understand that signs matter.

They tell a story your body is trying to communicate,
and only a trained eye can interpret it.

So next time you’re in the hospital, remember:

✅ Pay attention to changes in your body.
✅ Know that physical examination is how doctors read those signs
✅ If your doctor skips it, gently remind them
✅ And finally, ask them what the signs (if any) mean for you.

Be a Smart Patient.

Know what to expect and
Ask questions when there are any deviations from it.

Don’t leave your health to chance!

19/10/2025

What if I told you you’ll fall ill tomorrow?
Don’t rebuke me, hear me out.

Joseph once told Pharaoh something similar:

“There will be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine.”

But Joseph didn’t stop there.
He didn’t say, “Pray the famine never comes.”
He said, “Prepare for it.”

His advice was simple but profound:
Store food during the good years, so when famine comes, you’ll have enough to survive.

In other words, Joseph’s wisdom was not to wait for hunger to strike before acting but to prepare in advance.

The same principle applies to health.

It doesn’t matter how strong, young, or healthy you feel today
As long as you have a body, you are at risk of illness or injury.

When we’re well, sickness feels like a distant possibility.
But just as famine eventually came to Egypt, health challenges come to everyone at some point.

And those who prepare are the ones who stay steady when it happens.
So, how can you stay prepared?

1️⃣ Get health insurance.

Joseph’s plan to store grain during the good years is exactly what health insurance represents: preparation before the famine of sickness arrives.
It’s not fear. It’s wisdom.
It’s saying, “I may be in my seven years of health now, but one day, I might need to draw from this store.”

2️⃣ Take health advice seriously.

Don’t say, “It can’t be me.”
Prayers don’t always prevent sickness; sometimes they give us strength through it.
And sometimes, God answers prayers by sending wisdom ahead of trouble.

So maybe my weekly posts nudging you to take your health seriously, and teaching you how to navigate the healthcare system for the best outcomes, are part of that wisdom.

3️⃣ Be inquisitive about your health.

Joseph didn’t just interpret Pharaoh’s dream, he offered a solution.
Imagine what could have happened if he hadn’t spoken up, or if Pharaoh had never asked further questions.

When it comes to your health, even if the doctor does not volunteer certain information, ask questions.
Don’t leave the consulting room confused or uncertain.

Clarity is part of care.

Being proactive about your health is not about fear; it’s about foresight.
Joseph’s advice saved a nation.

The advice you’re reading on this page could save your life.

Be a Smart Patient.
Don’t leave your health to chance.

16/10/2025

I once got a very bad review from a patient who left my consulting room with a grudge.

When I read the review, it was hurtful.

Not just because it was negative, but because the patient had nodded through the entire consultation with no sign of displeasure, no indication that something was off.

So I kept asking myself, why didn’t they say something?

Was their perception of the encounter valid?
Yes.
Because how a patient experiences a consultation matters too.

But here’s the problem with that approach:

You don’t benefit from keeping quiet during the consultation and then venting your frustration later.

When you walk out the door without expressing your concerns, you miss the opportunity to get clarity, correction, or comfort; all the things that could have made that visit worthwhile.

A Smart Patient understands that not every consultation will go exactly as imagined.

But they also know how to stay calm, assertive, and focused, not combative or withdrawn.

They don’t leave with a grudge.
They leave with answers.

That’s what I teach in my book, The Smart Patient: how to navigate those tricky moments in the consulting room and still walk away empowered.

So, tell me, what kind of patient are you?

The kind that leaves with a grudge, or the kind that leaves with answers?

Are you leaving your health to chance?In The Smart Patient, Dr. Temitope Oyetunji reveals how to become a confident, empowered partner in your own healthcare even in a busy or overwhelmed system.Through relatable stories, practical checklists, and culturally relevant advice, this essential guide sho...

14/10/2025

Visibility may be delayed, but value never stays hidden forever.

12/10/2025

When Jesus came, some people thought they didn’t need Him.They had no sickness in their body that needed healing.

They were knowledgeable in the law and felt they didn’t need teaching.

But the truth is, everyone needs a Saviour.
Not just from sinful acts, but from the sin nature itself.

Let’s bring that home to healthcare.

Many people today think the same way.

“I’m not sick, so I don’t need a doctor.”
Or, “With Google and AI, I can figure things out myself.”

But here’s the truth:

Everyone who has a body needs a doctor.
And it’s usually for one (or more) of three reasons 👇🏾

1️⃣ For Prevention

Zacchaeus wasn’t sick, but he knew something was missing.
He sought Jesus early, and his life turned around.

In healthcare, seeing a doctor for routine check-ups, screenings, and lifestyle changes is that early preventive step you need to take.

You don’t have to wait until you’re sick to see your doctor.

2️⃣ For Education

Nicodemus came to Jesus at night not for healing, but for understanding.
He had questions about life, salvation, and the mysteries of being “born again.”

Many of us need doctors for that same reason: to understand.
To make sense of our lab results, symptoms, or medications.
To learn what to do and what to avoid.
Education is healthcare too.

Because what you don’t understand can hurt you.

3️⃣ For Treatment

Then there were people like Bartimaeus and the woman with the issue of blood, who came because they needed healing.
And that’s okay too.

That’s what hospitals and doctors are for: to diagnose, treat, and follow up..

So, whether it’s for prevention, education, or treatment, everyone needs a doctor.

The same way everyone needs a Saviour for their soul,
Everyone needs a doctor for their body.

So, who's your doctor?
And when last did you see them?

Don’t leave your health to chance.

12/10/2025