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 As a medical
doctor, I see articles on preventing
blindness or on a miracle operation to
save a baby, etc. What we need is an
article on how to choose the right doctor.
(That might be a medical miracle also!)
If you belong to an HMO, your choices will
be limited and restricted. However, your
goal should be the same: Find a board
certified doctor who is both brilliant and
caring, who specializes in your medical
problems, who really listens to you when
you talk, and who asks questions.
What you need to choose is a physician who
is a specialist in family practice or
internal medicine. This choice would be
for your "primary care physician." Once
you have your family doctor, he or she
will care for you, treat you and assist
you in selecting other medical specialists
as the need arises in your future.
Since there is no such thing as a
"perfect" doctor, what everyone needs to
find is the "right" doctor for them. This
is very important because your family
doctor is the head of the team of
physicians who will treat your problems
and is the entry point for all your
medical care.
If it were me, I would want my family
doctor or internist to be "board
certified" as I would want all of my
specialists to be also. A board certified
physician has met higher standards for
training and medical qualifications. I
would choose one who comes highly
recommended by another satisfied patient,
nurse or medical doctor. Consider a doctor
with the gender you are most comfortable
with or one who has a proficiency in your
native language. Look for one who listens
to you and answers your questions and who
might offer a more convenient location or
office hours.
If you are free to choose, also choose one
with the most superior credentials,
certifications, and training.
Inquire about medical fees. Do they take
credit cards? Will they accept Medicare
assignment?
If your HMO insurance requires you to
select from a limited number of providers,
ask questions or seek a second opinion.
And remember, it is easier to find the
"perfect" doctor if you try to be the
"perfect" patient. Become knowledgeable
about your own health problems that
concern your life. Become educated about
preventing disease and promoting health.
Be compliant and follow the doctor's
orders and take medications properly. Use
common sense and avoid high-risk behavior
such as smoking, drinking, drugs, junk
foods, and a sedentary lifestyle -- and
eat and sleep and exercise on a regular
basis.
Above all, establish your doctor/patient
relationship BEFORE you need a doctor in a
medical emergency in a strange hospital
emergency room.
Remember, the perfect doctor and perfect
patient are both in the eye of the
beholder.
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