My Doctor Online The Permanente Medical Group

Are you having back pain with any of the following?

  • Severe pain, weakness or tingling in your leg(s).
  • Difficulty stopping urination or loss of control of bladder or bowels.
  • Unexplained fever, nausea or vomiting.
  • A history of cancer or unexplained weight loss.

We understand that you are experiencing one or more of the health issues that might be impacting your back pain.

We recommend that you discuss these health issues with your doctor before proceeding with this program.

Once you are cleared by your doctor to do this program, we hope it helps you find relief from your back pain.

Provider photo for David Sobel

David Sobel, MD

Internal Medicine

An important part of being your physician is providing you with reliable health information and easy ways we can communicate with each other. My colleagues and I have developed My Doctor Online so you can e-mail me, check your lab results, make an appointment, access our many online programs or get information about a particular health topic - any time it's convenient for you.

My Offices

San Jose Medical Center
Appt/Advice: 1-408-362-4791

See all office information »

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Professional

Background

I view this page as an opportunity to introduce myself to my patients and introduce my patients to reliable sources of health information and easy ways to stay connected to me, view your lab results, refill prescriptions and check on your preventive service reminders - all available to you on line 24/7.

I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA and I have had the privilege of practicing medicine at Kaiser Permanente since 1979. In addition to my adult primary care medical practice, I serve as the Medical Director of Patient Education and Health Promotion for Kaiser Permanente Northern California region.

I completed a degree in psychology at the University of Michigan. I finished my medical education at the University of California San Francisco with a medical internship at Presbyterian Hospital-Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco. I have also completed a Masters degree in Public Health and a residency program in General Preventive Medicine at the School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley.

I am passionate about educating my patients so that we can be true partners in care. I have co-authored eight books written for the general public including Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions, The Healing Brain, and Healthy Pleasures. My most recent book, The Healthy Mind, Healthy Body Handbook, is a practical step-by-step guide on how to use relaxation, imagery, communication skills, positive thinking and humor to reduce stress and relieve body symptoms. My research and teaching interests include medical self-care, patient education, preventive medicine, behavioral medicine and psychosocial factors in health.

I have appeared on more than 200 television programs to educate the public about health issues including the Today Show, CNN, Hour Magazine and a regular television news segment on KNTV, the ABC affiliate station in San Jose. I also received the 2001 national Healthtrac Foundation Health Education Award given to a health educator who has made a substantial contribution to advancing the field of health education or health promotion. I was also named the 2010 Honorary Fellow of the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE), the highest award given for significant and lasting contributions to health and health education.

Credentials

Medical EducationUC San Francisco School of Medicine,
San Francisco, CA
InternshipPacific Presbyterian Medical Center,
San Francisco, CA
ResidencyUC School of Public Health,
Berkeley, CA

Awards

  • Healthtrac Foundation Health Education Award - 2001
  • Honorary Fellow of the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) - 2010 

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