IT'S YOUR LIFE -- A PRACTICAL HANDBOOK FOR CHRONIC AILMENTS

( By Sangeeta S. Bhagwat )

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Your Doctor

Ensure that your doctor is someone you can trust. Make adequate inquiries with other patients, meet with the doctor yourself and check on his/her experience. Only then select your doctor. Remember, this may be a long-term relationship and one, which can affect not only your well-being, but also your longevity.

Some factors to note:

Does the doctor have a good rapport with his patients?

It is important for you to feel comfortable with your doctor. This allows you to speak freely about your symptoms and fears. Some doctors make that extra effort, to develop a reassuring and comforting relationship with their patient.

Speaking to someone who can recall at least your name and outline case history, without referring to your chart, is a valuable asset. This is a reasonable expectation in chronic diseases, as you see your doctor on a frequent and regular basis. Such minor details boost your confidence in the doctor. It also improves your chances of receiving personalized attention to your individual problems.

Does he have the experience and credentials appropriate to your condition?

Everyone is aware that today, the complex medical system require specialists to deal with each aspect of your disease. But, even within the specialists, doctors tend to gain experience and expertise in micro-levels of their own specialties. Keep this in mind, whilst selecting your specialist. For instance, if you require surgery, try and find someone with the maximum experience in your particular procedure.

Is he available during emergencies?


You cannot expect any doctor to be available to you 24 hours, 7 days a week. They need their rest too. However, does the doctor offer you all his contact details? Does he at least try and make himself available as much as possible? Does he offer a colleague of equal capability, during long absences?

Or instead, do you find it almost impossible to even speak to him, during emergencies?

Just as you have a primary doctor who remains unavailable to the patient in his "off-hours", you also have the other kind. These will respond in the middle of the night, to not only their own, but even another doctor's patient.

Ideally, you should find out about your doctor's attitude, from other patients. You should not find yourself in the unhappy position of not reaching your own doctor, in an emergency.

"Big names" may not translate into appropriate choices.

Reputed doctors may have become complacent, resting on past laurels. Very often, they are only nominal Heads of Department in many hospitals. Further, not all of them make it a point to stay abreast of current developments.

You may have to wait long periods, before you can see them. More than likely, even once you manage an appointment, they have little time to spend with each patient.

Individualized attention can be more meaningful, appropriate and effective, than all the technical expertise or knowledge. If your doctor has not understood the idiosyncrasies of your body, all his expertise may prove irrelevant to your healing.

Do commercial factors influence the doctor's choice of investigation/treatment?

Unfortunately, kickbacks have become a common practice these days, even in the medical profession. Some hospitals set "targets" for their panel doctors. Peer pressure demands that the referral network keep operating.

Such factors influence doctors, into prescribing unnecessary tests/medication/treatment.

There have been known instances of doctor's blatantly inquiring about your insurance or family fortunes and subsequently prescribing expensive investigations and even treatments. If you suspect this about the doctor, seek a second opinion.

There are also doctors who are solely dedicated to healing. They ignore the patient's ability to pay them, instead focus on providing the best possible treatment.

Try to find out more about your doctor's commercial interests. Here too, other patients or a trusted family GP, may provide more information.

Is he open-minded about your choice of treatment?

Your prime objective is to be healed. This is also true of your doctor. Many accept and understand your trying harmless alternative therapies. Some may even encourage it. The key word here is "harmless". Resisting alternatives because of any potential harm, is a justified stance. It is also caution that you must pay heed to.

However, resisting or ridiculing attempts at any other mode of treatment, purely out of a scorn born of ignorance or limited knowledge, is avoidable.

Does he pay attention to the patient's observations?

If you provide factual and concise reporting of symptoms, adverse reactions, positive results, etc.. your doctor should pay careful attention to these. Dismissing your observations, especially when they are unexpected or unusual results, could lead your treatment in the wrong direction.

Does he keep himself updated on latest developments in his field?

Research and development is making giant strides these days. As the knowledge base is rapidly increasing, new remedies and treatments relevant to your disease will be available to you, provided your doctor knows about them.

Equally important, is his awareness of latest adverse reports on previously accepted treatment/medication. There have been numerous instances of drugs/treatment being withdrawn, due to subsequent discovery of risks. In other cases, drug usage has been found harmful in certain diseases, while tolerable in others.

Has he offered you all possible treatment choices?

You have a right to know all your options and corresponding risks. The choice is yours to make. Regardless of the cost/insurance limitations, you must be given an opportunity to make a realistic evaluation.

Does he support and encourage second opinions, if you so desire?

A conscientious doctor, who takes all possible care, has no reason to discourage second opinions. In fact, he is more than likely to suggest this himself. Be wary of the doctor who grows upset, unreasonable or unco-operative at the mention of a second opinion.

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