The choice of a family doctor

Patients change their doctors as soon as they find that the medication is not working fast enough, or produce side effects, or the medication has been causing too “hot” or “cold” reactions in the body. Patients also change doctors on hearing from friends, neighbors, relatives and colleagues that doctor so and so is much more better and more economical and also is a specialist of a certain type of illness. Such patients, who do this type of research before they decide on a doctor, often end up disappointed because of such prejudice, misguided beliefs, expectations, or determining financial factors. More often than not, patients end up in a doctor’s clinic only because they were forced to - by a cold that wouldn’t quit, or stomach pain that became unbearable, or a knee pain that wouldn’t allow them to walk.

On the other hand, most people who care for their health are the ones that have found the right doctor to help keep their bodies healthy. These people are probably consulting their family doctor to maintain and enhance their health and well being and have established an ongoing relationship with their doctor.

How to choose a Family Doctor

Several of the traditional guidelines to finding a good family doctor – such as asking friends, checking credentials, scanning yellow pages of a phone book, browsing the net, etc. – are no guarantee of quality medical care and some of those guidelines may be next to useless. You may find a superbly trained doctor to whom you could never express yourself; or you may find one who is highly personable but medically incompetent. What you should get is a doctor who combines the virtues of both – a sensitive, empathic human being with good training who practices scientific medicine.

One of the best first hand methods to find the right doctor is to call his/her office to schedule a short appointment for an interview. Many doctors will give you 15 minutes or so at no extra charge to discuss broadly healthcare/Medicare matters – but not specific medical issues. Be sure to inform the doctor/receptionist the specific purpose of your appointment.

When you visit the doctor, check out the office from top to bottom – is the receptionist courteous and helpful? Note, how long the wait is. Does the doctor seem organized or disorganized? Be aware and gauge the doctor’s style; is it compatible with yours? Some people prefer a doctor who is brief and to the point; while others are more at ease with a relaxed, friendly approach. Consider the doctor’s age and gender. Generally speaking, look for a doctor who is neither very young, nor very old. A younger doctor is likely to know the recent medical developments, although the older doctor has more clinical experience. If you were a man, would you feel comfortable with a female doctor and vice versa?

Evaluate the doctor’s manners and attitude. Avoid doctors who practice assembly-line medicine, fleeting from patient to patient in a series of consulting rooms or hospitals. And be aware of doctors who routinely order batteries of expensive (possibly hazardous) tests, or who seem too quick to prescribe drugs without proper evaluation.

Look for an emphasis on preventive medicine. Your doctor should enquire about your diet, exercise, smoking, drinking and other habits, occupational risks, and hobbies. Because most serious aliments are not curable, preventing illness is the most important aspect of medical care.

Who is a Family Doctor?

 Family doctor includes family physicians, primary care physicians and general practitioners. Their ‘specialty’ is comprehensive care of a patient, on a long-term basis. A family doctor is trained to recognize common health problems in the patient as a whole. He or she is the doctor you see for everything from an acute illness and annual check-up to preventive "wellness" care

Why is having a Family Doctor so important?

Choosing a family doctor is a great way to get healthy and stay that way. A family doctor is more than a quick fix for acute illness; he or she can become your healthcare partner over the long haul...helping you to establish your health goals and evaluating how you're doing while treating any illnesses that come up along the way. Over time, this can translate into continued health and well being and enhanced quality of life.

While there is clearly a need for medical specialist under certain circumstances, there is a far greater need for someone who treats you as a total person and not as an organ housed in a body. The family doctor is the one who keeps track of all aspects of your health care and determines when another specialist’s care is needed.

What can a family doctor offer you?

1 - A good starting point in the healthcare system: Whatever your concern or problem may be, your family doctor will either be able to treat it or determine when and where to send you for specialized help. In either case, you have the advantage of a physician's expertise, and any trips through the healthcare system will be less confusing for you...and less of a hassle.

2 - Preventive healthcare: Many health insurance and mediclaim health plans reimburse medical expenses for preventive services, such as screenings and checkups to monitor conditions that can lead to serious trouble if not promptly diagnosed and treated. Your family doctor can help you with disease prevention, as well as illness intervention.

3 -Continuity of care: You and your doctor will have an ongoing health partnership. He or she will get to know you and your concerns, and you won't have to repeat your history and fill out forms for a string of healthcare providers each time you get sick or need treatment. Your family doctor will know your history, any chronic problems or potential troubles you may have, your family, and your long-term health goals.

4 -One stop shopping : You can use the same doctor for a variety of conditions, and often the same doctor can treat both you and your family. Good health begins at an early age. A family doctor can take you and your family through infancy to old age.

5 -Lower cost and convenience: Family doctors serve large populations of patients, so they see and know the most common medical maladies, and have been trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions most cost-effectively. In a society where majority of patients pay for their private treatment with no medical insurance schemes or government medical benefits, the family doctor makes much of his diagnosis and treatment on clinical judgment and experience, rather than on laboratory investigations. And, in most cases, it's easier to get in to see a family doctor than a specialist, since general practices are usually geared up for maximum efficiency.

6 -Continued health and vitality ...the biggest benefit of teaming up with a good family doctor. Your doctor is an important resource for your health. There are, however, steps you can take to ensure that your lifestyle will contribute to your well being in the long run. This includes choosing to take responsibility for your body by being aware of the roles that stress, nutrition, and exercise play in your health. You and your doctor can define your health goals, examine your habits and get started on the basics to maintain or improve your health, now and in the future. The ideal patient-doctor relationship that exists, the confidence that the patient and his family have in their family doctor, who looks after the family’s health compassionately, is the real foundation on which the family doctor can build the ideal house of perfect health. Thus, your working relationship with your doctor can help prevent serious illness from developing down the line and enhance your well-being, quality of life, and independence for years to come -- the biggest benefit of all.

Building a working relationship with your Family Doctor

You should be able to communicate your needs and concerns. You should feel comfortable discussing anything with your family doctor, from a problem with sexual function or a change in bowel or urinary habits to a mole on your shoulder that has changed in appearance or even feeling "stressed out" and depressed.

If you've had trouble in the past discussing personal health issues with a doctor, now is the time for a fresh start. A family doctor is trained to serve as a resource for any of your questions or health concerns, including those of a sexual or psychological nature.

If you're having a hard time communicating with your doctor, schedule an appointment and bring it up. It's wise to give your present doctor the chance to respond to your concerns before switching doctors. After all, he or she already knows you, and breaking an existing healthcare partnership is not always necessarily in your best interest.

At times, however, changing doctors is the right thing to do, and you shouldn't feel obligated to "hang in there" to protect your doctor's feelings. Doctors lose and gain patients all the time. It's part of being a medical professional, and they usually don't take it personally. Their main concern is your continued health and well being, and if you will be best served by another doctor, they will usually step aside gracefully and wish you well.

Finally...take responsibility. Remember that you're in a partnership. That means you're responsible for your health as much as, or more than, your physician is. He or she doesn't have to be your sole source of information. Educate yourself on special concerns -- the library and bookstore are excellent sources of additional information. So are medical and healthcare associations, support groups and educational organizations, local hospitals, and also health-related Internet resources.

After all, good health is your birthright and you deserve to be healthy.

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References:

The Medical Reporter
Rose Medical Centre.