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Tips for choosing
a doctor is one of the most important decisions you can make. The
best time to choose a doctor is before you need one. It is important
to have a doctor who knows you and your health care needs and who
understands the health care needs of people with disabilities. If
you don’t have a doctor or are thinking of changing doctors,
the following ideas may help you in your search for a doctor who
is right for you.
You will want a doctor who cares about you and will listen to your
concerns. Other things that might affect your choice of a doctor
include the type of health insurance you have, the location of the
doctor’s office and whether it is near to where you live and/or
work, the hospital where the doctor treats patients, their age,
whether the doctor is a male or female, and if you would like the
practice to have evening and weekend hours.
During your office visit, you can evaluate if you felt comfortable
with the doctor and if the doctor listened to your concerns and
answered your questions in a way you could understand. Did the doctor
explain your medical situation and describe your options for treatment
in a way you can understand? If you have lived with your disability
for many years, you will probably bring considerable expertise into
your meeting with the doctor. Does your doctor use both your knowledge
and their experience to find the best solution to your current problem?
You may want to ask if your doctor has had experience with other
folks with your disability or other folks with similar disabilities.
If you enroll in a managed care plan, you select your doctor from
a list of primary care physicians who are part of that plans network
of doctors. Your primary care physician then is responsible for
coordinating all of your health care needs. If you do not choose
a primary care doctor, you will be assigned one. In some plans,
you can see a provider outside the network, but it will cost you
more money. You may be required to pay a co-payment for some services
and visits.
There are different kinds of managed care plans available with different costs, benefits, and rules. Be sure you compare each plan and each type of insurance (fee-for-service or managed care) to make sure the plan is right for you.
To find a new doctor, ask friends, relatives, co-workers, and other health professionals for recommendations. It may be helpful to select several doctors as possibilities since the physician may not be taking new patients or may not participate in your health insurance plan. If you belong to a managed care plan, you can get a list of doctors from the plans membership services office or the health plan administrator of your employer. Your choices will be limited to doctors affiliated with the plan. Ask the doctor’s offices if they are covered by your medical plan.
Once you choose a doctor, the doctor will probably take a medical history during your first visit. The medical history will probably include questions about your medical history, past illnesses, operations, medical conditions that run in your family, medications you take, including non-prescriptions, whether you drink or smoke, and other doctors you see. Your medical history and needs may be complicated when a disability is involved. The doctor may perform a physical examination.
If you need to be treated for a specific condition, find out how much experience each recommended doctor has had with it. Ask the doctor or the doctor's office how many people he or she has treated with your condition. If you have a neuromuscular disorder or rare disease, the chances of your physician being familiar with your disability may decrease. You may be in a position of educating the physician about your needs.
It is very important for you to be clear and concise when describing your symptoms. Tell the doctor when your symptoms started, what time of day they happen, how long they last (seconds? days?), how often they occur, if they seem to be getting worse or better, and if they keep you from going out or doing your usual activities.
You may want to set up an introductory appointment to see if the doctor has experience with your disability. There may be a charge for the appointment. Your relationship with a doctor is a long-term one, and good communication is a two-way process. It may take several visits to develop a good rapport with your doctor. Developing a good doctor/patient relationship is a partnership with both you and your doctor working together to solve your medical problems and to maintain your good health. Talking about your health means talking about how you feel both physically and emotionally. Knowing how to describe your symptoms and discuss treatments will help you become a partner in your healthcare.
Your doctor may send you to a specialist for further evaluation such as a physiatrist (a physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation). You may also request to see a specialist yourself although your insurance company may require that you have a referral from your primary doctor.
We hope this information will help you take an active role in your health care.
(Adapted from “Talking With Your Doctor: A Guide For Older People,” by the National Institute On Aging.
MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR DOCTOR’S VISIT
Today, a good doctor/patient relationship is more of a partnership with both patient and doctor working together to solve medical problems and to maintain good health. You can prepare for your visit to get the information you need and manage the information you get. When you have an appointment with your doctor, you are encouraged to be prepared by making a list of your questions and concerns before your visit. For example, do you have any new symptoms you need to mention? Since the doctor has only a limited amount of time with you, list your questions and concerns in order of priority. To make the best use of your time, stick to the point. Give your doctor a brief description of the symptom(s), when it started, how often it happens, is it getting better or worse, and if it keeps you from going out and doing your activities. Be open and honest with your doctor, and ask the doctor to write down things that are not familiar to you. Your doctor can only give you the best treatment if s/he knows what is really going on.
Take along any information the doctor or staff may need such as your insurance card, a list of medications or just take them all in a bag. Update your doctor on important information you need to share since your last visit such as if you have been treated in an emergency room or if you experienced changes in sleeping or energy levels.
Asking questions is the key to getting what you want or need from a visit. If you do not understand the meaning of a word, ask for a more detailed explanation. If you do not understand the instructions for taking a medication, ask for clarification. You can repeat what the doctor said in your own words to make sure you understood. It is also important to share your point of view.
It can be difficult to remember what the doctor said. You can take along a notepad and pencil to write down the main points. Or, if you are unable to write, you can ask the doctor to write it down or you can request permission to use a tape recorder.
Questions you may want to ask your doctor about medical tests include: 1) what will we know after the test? 2) How will I find out the results? How long will it take to get the results? Do I need to call to get the results? 3) What steps does the test involve? How should I get ready? 4) Are there any dangers or side effects? Ask the doctor what to do if you have a problem. Should you take more medicine? Should you call the office? What if it is 4 AM?
If you are diagnosed with a new condition, ask how it may affect your body, and how long it will last. Some medical problems cannot be cured, but they can be treated and managed.
If you are having difficulty getting a needed service, are receiving substandard services or are not satisfied, you can ask your doctor for alternative approaches. If you are having difficulty with your insurance company, you can talk directly with insurance representative or write a letter to the customer services department within an insurance company to further justify need or to appeal being denied a service.
(Adapted from “Talking With Your Doctor: A Guide For Older People,” by the National Institute On Aging.)
