HealthCare ADVISOR

Choosing A Doctor

Despite the breathtaking pace of medical advancement, one thing about health care never changes. We all want a doctor we can trust. While this may sound simple, considering everything we expect from our medical professionals, “trust” becomes a supersize concept. When we feel sick or vulnerable, it’s natural to want a powerful person to fix everything—especially if we behave, and do what we’re supposed to do. These feelings may carry over from childhood, which is the time of life when everyone learns how to relate to doctors.

It’s important to recognize that being “seen and not heard” during a doctor visit can cause problems, the least of which might be a vague (or specific) dissatisfaction with treatment. Worse, if a patient is reluctant to ask questions or to be open about all symptoms, the doctor might miss a serious diagnosis.

Because doctors today strive to deliver the best care possible within the guidelines set by insurance companies, it’s important to find a doctor who is willing to work with you on treatment options, according to family practitioner Dr. Alex Amby. “My doctor should not necessarily be my friend, but he or she should definitely be my ally and advocate,” Dr. Amby says. “There is a difference.”

Dr. Terry Gemas of Lakewood Orthopaedics offers some reassurance. “If your physician is board-certified, keep in mind the bad seeds have been weeded out most of the time. When you know that, you’re able to focus on your relationship with your doctor, and establishing rapport.” To become board-certified, a physician must successfully complete an approved specialty training program, and pass an exam that assesses the doctor’s knowledge, skills, and experience. In order to keep their board-certification, physicians are required to participate in continuing education, which ensures that they stay up to date with new information about disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Over the past few decades, increased scrutiny of medical costs has caused the business administrators of health care (such as insurance companies or out-sourced back-office services) to try to achieve lower costs by reducing time spent with patients. “There’s an old saying in the medical profession,” Dr. Gemas says. “If you let the patient talk long enough, they’ll tell you the diagnosis 90% of the time. That’s why I’m a big believer in sitting down and talking.”

Dr. Gemas also points out that, here in Dallas, there is no need to settle for a doctor who doesn’t meet your specific needs. “Even an orthopedic surgeon breaks down into specialists for shoulders or hands. It’s important to find that specialist.”

Dr. Parul Patel of Infinity Foot Care says patients might want to consider if the doctor’s gender matters. “In my practice, I see a lot of women because they want to wear high heels, and I wear them too,” she says. “I can relate to women’s concerns about their feet.”

Karen Brown, vice president for development and marketing at Juliette Fowler Homes in Lakewood, offers some wisdom for patients looking for geriatric care, whether for themselves or for loved ones over the age of 60. “Pick someone who knows the needs of geriatric patients,” she advises. Just as children can benefit from seeing a pediatrician who knows what to look for, seniors have specific issues and needs. Moreover, for seniors it’s especially important to have an established relationship with a primary care doctor, Brown says, because that physician can become your advocate in the event of an emergency like a heart attack, broken hip or stroke.

“You might be in an emergency room at first,” Brown says, “But you’ll want to have a good enough relationship with your primary care doctor that you can work together choosing the best facility for rehab—one that fits your needs and will best address your issues.”

Fortunately, today the industry has come around to focus on improving health care in ways that are smarter, not harder. Medical professionals on both the care side and the administrative side have learned that additional minutes spent observing and listening to patients can lead to more successful results. This means patients who take time to research their doctors and their health issues before a visit are likely to benefit from the effort. The internet can be a powerful tool for research, but like any tool it is best used with care. Check online sources to make sure they are based on science, rather than a bias toward a particular drug or treatment.

Dr. James Schermerhorn, an OB-Gyn in East Dallas, says, “As we get more progressive as a society, we are getting more computer savvy. My patients ages 35 and down are all exclusively searching for physicians and services online. My own daughter, age 26, finds everyone online. Sometimes people will use the insurance companies’ online recommendations, sometimes they will just Google for information. But we (doctors) will often be evaluated for who we are and how we practice and what we do on an online presence. That’s a fundamental change that’s occurred in the last five years.”

Even though the internet can be a good source of information, don’t overlook the traditional referral. Ask friends for recommendations, and don’t be afraid to be specific in mentioning what’s important to you, whether it is location or experience treating a particular condition.

“I’ve found the call to the office is one of my favorite things,” says Dr. Schermerhorn. “If you leave a message, and they call back in ten or fifteen minutes, that’s good. If they call back in three or four hours, that’s not so good. If they call back tomorrow, that’s bad.”

Dr. Patel is another fan of using the initial phone call to gain insight into a doctor’s practice. “Call and ask a few simple questions,” she says.“The office staff can often give you the best insight to the doctor.”

Finally, keep in mind that you and your doctor are partners in optimizing your health. Establish a good relationship with your doctor before you need care for a serious diagnosis. Nurture your relationship with your doctor, and continue to participate in your own health care as an informed and proactive patient.