"The best doctors and medicine in the world can't save you if you don't do what you're supposed to do."
-- Magic Johnson
About two weeks ago I received an innocent-looking letter from my doctor's office. I figured it was just another bill, but when I opened it I got quite the shock. My physician is retiring at the end of the year.
I've been his patient for a while now and have been quite pleased with his knowledge, understanding of my issues and patient care.
Then it hit me: I need to find another physician.
The doctor who diagnosed my diabetes was fine, but I didn't feel like he was all that invested in my care.
A friend originally recommended my doctor, and I thought he'd be a good fit. And he has been.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
There are many reasons we might need to find a new doctor. Maybe you moved to another city or, as in my case, your doctor is retiring.
The National Institute on Aging has a good online article (bit.ly/2htUiY6) that addresses the issue for older folks, but the information can benefit people of any age.
If you're looking for a family doctor, there are two types to start with:
• General practitioners. They treat a wide range of medical problems in people of all ages.
• Family practitioners. They are similar to general, but they have extra training to care for all family members, young or old.
Next, ask for help. Seeking referrals from friends or family is a good place to start. Recommendations from other health professionals can help, too.
Once you've got a few names, it's a good idea to call the doctor's office and check out a few things:
• What is the doctor's educational background and training?
• What insurance do they accept?
• Where is the office located? Will it be easy to get there, park and get inside?
• How long is the usual office visit? Having ample time for good doctor-patient communication is important for developing a sound treatment plan.
• Is the doctor a member of a group practice? Find out about the other doctors and their specialties.
• Can you get lab work or X-rays done in their office or somewhere nearby?
• Is the doctor board certified? Do they have extra training to become a specialist?
If you are an older person, ask if the doctor sees many older people. And do they treat chronic health problems like diabetes or heart disease?
The whole process sounds pretty simple, but when we have a chronic illness it's imperative that we make our choices with an eye to that disease.
I know I need a doctor who can treat things like a sinus infection or case of the flu, but as a diabetic I also need one who is up on current patient education and treatment.
I found more information in "How to Choose a Diabetes Doctor" (bit.ly/2gBfNBG), an article written by Dr. Christopher Segler, a San Francisco-based diabetic foot specialist.
Segler writes that we should look for a diabetes doctor who is an expert and emphasizes patient education.
Since diabetes can affect the kidneys, eyes, nerves, heart and more, he recommends an endocrinologist. They have the most information about how organs work together, which is critical if you have diabetes.
Will the doctor do a diabetic foot exam? And will he be able to quickly see an emergency in the making and deal with it immediately? This is especially important in cases of infections -- it can mean the difference between an office visit and an amputation.
Essentially, Segler says, all these problems stemming from diabetes are preventable. To do so, we must have early treatment and evaluation by a highly qualified doctor.
Email me at:
rboggs@arkansasonline.com
ActiveStyle on 12/19/2016