Many people rely on a friend or relative to recommend a doctor; this is all well and good but is he the right doctor for you?
Checking a doctor’s credentials is not only reasonable but it is a necessary act in determining whether you will get the proper treatment. Remember this is your life and choosing wisely may be the difference between life and death.
I was fortunate to find an extraordinary primary care physician. He always has time to listen, asks me questions if I don’t volunteer the information he needs, does not keep me waiting unduly, is well educated in his field, continues his education, and is widely respected in our community. Unfortunately this is not true of all doctors.
Many years ago, I thought I had a good doctor until I was hospitalized for the third time in the second trimester of pregnancy due to hemorrhaging. When I asked the doctor what was causing the problem, he told me all was okay and there was nothing wrong. The resident was also in the room, so I asked him what the problem was. Because he was obeying the pecking order, he told me that I had to discuss things with my doctor. Since I am not foolish enough to believe everything I am told—even by a doctor—I told the resident that I did not have a doctor because I fired him for incompetency. Yes, you can fire your doctor. My mistake was not checking the man’s credentials, etc.
During my first visit to the primary care physician, I explained my background and why I was not quick to trust doctors. He smiled but did not comment, so we proceeded with my examination. Every time I visited him, we chatted and laughed together. I grew to trust and like him as I learned more about him. I also began to respect his knowledge of medicine.
When we suspected cancer, he recommended another doctor. I went through the same procedure with her until I learned to trust her and respect her knowledge.
I am explaining this because it is important for everyone to have an open, trusting relationship with her doctor and not have the misfortune of being treated by one who subsequently lost his license to practice.
One thing that my doctors have taught me is the importance of patients’ proactive treatment. It is not only a good idea to ask questions about treatments, medicines or anything connected with your health, but doctors prefer that you do this. Ironically, they want to trust you as much as you need to trust them. In this day of medical malpractice suits, and multi-million dollar settlements, doctors cannot afford to have patients who do not take a proactive approach. Certainly, the doctor knows more than we do about our health concerns, but he is human and may recommend something that we know would not be best for us.
Although we can go online and read about any medical problem, there is little to nothing about proactive treatment. I checked many sites before visiting the oncologist for the first time. The only one who recommended taking a list of questions was the American Cancer Society. The next time you visit your doctor, go prepared with your list of questions. If he rushes you, find another doctor. If he sits back and patiently explains everything, you have found a “keeper.”
Doctors frequently prescribe a medication and indicate that a generic form is acceptable. However, another important item to know is that there are times when the pharmacy runs short of your particular medication and orders from a company other than the one you started with. Perhaps this is not always important, but there are many times when it could make a big difference in your treatment and cure. I was unaware that formulas for any drug are different from one company to another. They contain different amounts of active ingredients, and possibly different fillers and interact with other medications in a way other than the original one. The pharmacist should warn you of any changes and note it on your paperwork. Before you leave, be sure you understand all the instructions, interactions, and side affects regarding your prescription(s). Save this to take to your doctor on your next visit.
