RCT
04-25-2002, 09:10 AM
here is an article I stumbled apon this morning....
Is Your Doctor Right for You?
In these days of managed care, finding a doc that you like and trust — and who also happens to be on your insurance plan — can be a challenge. We show you how to get the chemistry right.
by Kristyn Kusek
Landing a good doctor can seem as improbable as snagging the man of your dreams. Take the experience of Lifetime Online community member Auntie M: "I have yet to find a doctor who's really interested in finding the cause of my ailments. All [she] seems to do is prescribe pills."
We asked Edward Krupat, M.D., director of the health psychology program at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Boston and a leading expert in the study of physician-patient relationships, for some suggestions. Here's what to do before you slip into that skimpy paper gown.
Pick your priorities. Think about what's important to you in a doctor and write it down. (Don't skip the little stuff — every detail is important.) Do you feel most comfortable with a woman? Do you prefer someone with a particular type of training? Maybe you think older and more experienced is better, like the Lifetime Online community member who writes: "I like my doctors to be in their late 40s with some gray hair." Once you've defined your "ideal doctor type," you're ready to start your search.
Ask around. One of the easiest ways to find a good physician is to get a vote of confidence from someone you trust, such as a close friend, family member or co-worker with the same health insurance. Just be wary when people tell you that their doctors are "the best." Says Dr. Krupat, "It can be tough to tell what 'best' means. Is the doctor 'the best technician' or 'the best at spending time with a patient?' Make sure that the person you're getting a referral from has the same priorities that you do."
Take your search online. Use the Web to find out where a particular doctor did her residency, what her specialties are — even what she likes to do in her spare time (see "Where the Doctors Are on the Web" at right). Also, look into patient referral services provided by hospitals and your health plan. Many insurance companies offer information about their member doctors, but you often have to ask to get the listings.
Audition the doc. Once you've found a potential candidate, set up an office visit to meet the doctor so you can find out whether or not your interests mesh. "I like to interview my doctors," says Lifetime Online community member Selene. "Many people don't realize that they are allowed to have expectations of their doctors beyond their simply showing up and writing a prescription." Dr. Krupat agrees. "The first meeting is like a first date," he says. "You can size each other up and find out whether or not you work well together." During the meeting, tell the doctor what you're looking for in terms of the relationship and ask him to tell you the same. For instance, Dr. Krupat has found that some patients get frustrated when physicians offer a number of treatment options, rather than just telling them what to do. Others prefer docs with a more give-and-take style.
Be alert to these warning signs. If any of the following occurs, find another physician:
She gives you orders, rather than discussing options.
She doesn't give you an opportunity to ask questions.
She rushes you, without an apology.
She interrupts you while you're voicing a concern.
Lifetime Online community member Bodacious says, "My philosophy is question, question, question! And if a doctor is uncooperative about answering, walk out the door!"
Is Your Doctor Right for You?
In these days of managed care, finding a doc that you like and trust — and who also happens to be on your insurance plan — can be a challenge. We show you how to get the chemistry right.
by Kristyn Kusek
Landing a good doctor can seem as improbable as snagging the man of your dreams. Take the experience of Lifetime Online community member Auntie M: "I have yet to find a doctor who's really interested in finding the cause of my ailments. All [she] seems to do is prescribe pills."
We asked Edward Krupat, M.D., director of the health psychology program at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Boston and a leading expert in the study of physician-patient relationships, for some suggestions. Here's what to do before you slip into that skimpy paper gown.
Pick your priorities. Think about what's important to you in a doctor and write it down. (Don't skip the little stuff — every detail is important.) Do you feel most comfortable with a woman? Do you prefer someone with a particular type of training? Maybe you think older and more experienced is better, like the Lifetime Online community member who writes: "I like my doctors to be in their late 40s with some gray hair." Once you've defined your "ideal doctor type," you're ready to start your search.
Ask around. One of the easiest ways to find a good physician is to get a vote of confidence from someone you trust, such as a close friend, family member or co-worker with the same health insurance. Just be wary when people tell you that their doctors are "the best." Says Dr. Krupat, "It can be tough to tell what 'best' means. Is the doctor 'the best technician' or 'the best at spending time with a patient?' Make sure that the person you're getting a referral from has the same priorities that you do."
Take your search online. Use the Web to find out where a particular doctor did her residency, what her specialties are — even what she likes to do in her spare time (see "Where the Doctors Are on the Web" at right). Also, look into patient referral services provided by hospitals and your health plan. Many insurance companies offer information about their member doctors, but you often have to ask to get the listings.
Audition the doc. Once you've found a potential candidate, set up an office visit to meet the doctor so you can find out whether or not your interests mesh. "I like to interview my doctors," says Lifetime Online community member Selene. "Many people don't realize that they are allowed to have expectations of their doctors beyond their simply showing up and writing a prescription." Dr. Krupat agrees. "The first meeting is like a first date," he says. "You can size each other up and find out whether or not you work well together." During the meeting, tell the doctor what you're looking for in terms of the relationship and ask him to tell you the same. For instance, Dr. Krupat has found that some patients get frustrated when physicians offer a number of treatment options, rather than just telling them what to do. Others prefer docs with a more give-and-take style.
Be alert to these warning signs. If any of the following occurs, find another physician:
She gives you orders, rather than discussing options.
She doesn't give you an opportunity to ask questions.
She rushes you, without an apology.
She interrupts you while you're voicing a concern.
Lifetime Online community member Bodacious says, "My philosophy is question, question, question! And if a doctor is uncooperative about answering, walk out the door!"