Think back on how you chose the latest doctor. Maybe you picked the first one that shows up in Google searches, or maybe you haven’t picked one since your mom saw your pediatrician 25 years ago. Racing after the last match You may be due.)
More men spend more time researching their next smartphone than the next paper. And that’s a mistake: Finding the right doctor can keep you in good health. High with their MD often play an active role in their health and healing.
So how do you find the documents of your dreams? Look for someone who can foster healthy relationships and communication with you. while making sure he has what is called “Domain experience,” says Ari Levy, MD, MBA, CEO of Engaged Health Solutions, meaning he has extremely sharp skills in his field and is board-certified.
You won’t be able to find this superstar with a single mouse click. But follow the steps below and you will be good to go.
1. Determine the best document type for you.
There are two types of primary care specific to young men: internal medicine and family medicine.
The best way to decide which specialist to see is to look at your own health background and consider how you want your health care delivered, says Daniel Vigil, MD, associate clinical professor of family medicine at Men’s Health. David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
If you have a chronic disease such as diabetes or heart disease. and you need conventional medical care You may benefit more from seeing an internal medicine physician. That’s because their training is based on organ systems and traditional therapeutic patterns.
Family doctors, on the other hand, have more extensive training. Everything from pediatric medicine to geriatric medicine. including medical, surgical and trauma problems which emphasizes a more integrated approach, said Dr. Vigil.
If you are looking for a more holistic approach You may want to consider looking at family documents. This is because these documents are often geared towards multidisciplinary disease prevention and treatment approaches.
2. Think about what you want.
Think of your potential doctor as your perfect woman: what qualities are you looking for? what is absolutely necessary And what factors are good bonuses?
Make a list of what you want to see with your doctor. And don’t be afraid to ask questions when you meet him to help you find answers, Dr. Levy says. Maybe you’re searching for a diabetes specialist. Or you need a doctor who is a communications superstar. Or you may need someone who feels comfortable answering emails or texts. Instead of saving everything for face-to-face meetings.
One helpful tip: More men choose doctors they have something in common, Dr. Vigil says. That could mean simple factors like age or gender. The latest and greatest may prefer academic papers related to cutting-edge research. Or a very athletic man might be a better match for sports medicine papers.
3. Ask Around
When you set your doctor’s scope for the first time Don’t be afraid to reach your real social network: friends and family who can comment on their own documents.
Flashy assessments can help you narrow down your list. But make sure you do one important thing first: Ask your friends why they like their papers so much, suggests Dr. Levy.
That’s because what works for your friend can make you cringe. If your friend likes a strict and direct doctor. But you like someone who has a conversational approach. His advice may disappoint you.
4. Look for these credentials…
You can find a list of doctors in your area on your health plan’s website. Bonus: You’ll also know they will accept your insurance.
More importantly, these are: unlimited licenses to practice in their state without disciplinary action (see docboard.org/docfinder.html) and specialized board certification. Currently, board certification is not required for very nice document But this certificate serves as Quality “Seal of Approval”, Dr. Vigil said.
How? Every year, board-certified physicians undergo a test that shows they are up-to-date on the latest medical changes in their field. Every year, depending on their specialty, if your doctor Board certified You can rest assured that he hasn’t practiced techniques yet. related to the cold war
5. …but don’t worry too much about these things.
Less important: education and exotic living Medical schools and training programs in the United States are so rigorously regulated that they can produce high-quality graduates, says Dr. Vigil. That’s where board accreditation comes in. All documents obtained must pass the same test. No matter where they go to school or receive training.
But a doctor’s practice field may be able to hint at his or her experience level for certain things. For example, let’s say you’re an outdoor enthusiast and skier: His dental doctor in Boulder, Colorado might face a “disturbance”. The injuries from hiking and skiing were more common among people living in urban areas, Dr Vigil said.
6. Understand Criticism
You wouldn’t buy a TV without first looking at the reviews. So why choose a doctor without a little chat online? Just be careful: Internet reviews can provide some information on the documented interpersonal skills. But they can’t really delve into the quality, says Dr. Vigil.
Think of it this way: Positive reviews can tell you that the doctor is friendly and approachable. But you won’t be able to know that he’s satisfied with prescriptions and antibiotics, such as candy, when a patient has a simple respiratory infection.
Additionally, you may not get the broader opinions you might think. The average physician rated on RateMD scores just 3.2, a University of Maryland study found. And almost half of the doctors at the site had only one score.
7. Check the panel size.
when you call around to schedule your first doctor’s appointment One thing you might want to ask about patient panel sizes. or the number of patients seen by the document
The average patient population of primary care physicians exceeds 2,300, a study in the Journal of General Medicine found. So don’t be alarmed by the huge numbers: Hearing that a doctor has a group of up to 2,500 patients can show that he is busy and that patients are still going to him, Dr. Vigil says.
for the red flag Avoid panels that are very small—you want others to want to see your document—or the ones that have just increased dramatically, say 3,500.
“You probably already understand that doctors are stressed and overworked,” he says. “You may struggle to face it.”
8. Ask how you would contact him.
Chances are, that goes beyond your eventual scheduled appointments that require input from your doctor. So it’s important to know how you can contact them.
That’s a very reasonable question to ask office staff when you choose a document, Dr. Vigil says. Some practices will have a nurse or other staff respond to your phone, email, or text. After consulting with a doctor Other guidelines Your doctor will monitor you closely and will contact you back.
One method of communication is not necessarily better than another. But it depends on what you are comfortable with. Let’s say you are very worried about the results of a laboratory test. And a nurse called to let you know what happened. If you’re still worried or scared after talking to her. It’s understandable to ask the doctor for an explanation, Dr. Vigil said if the staff refuses to contact you. You may need to find another doctor.
9. Find the Fit
Your doctor may have a washing list of degrees. top training and wazoo rewards, but if you don’t click with him Shows that you are missing an important part of care.
Example: Let’s say your document is an idiot. He didn’t explain what he did. Hurry up and take you out of the room. and ignore your question Would you feel comfortable talking to him or sharing personal matters? Maybe not.
and that’s a problem Because doctors use the information you give them to decipher what’s going on with you, Dr. Levy says.
So when you first find your document try to understand him Ask a few questions to see how clearly he explains things. And does his health philosophy seem in line with your philosophy?
Then ask yourself a few questions—where did he come from? He did something fun like that, said Dr. Vigil. (Don’t be too personal or you’ll shock him.) This will help you see your document as a person and may reveal some common interests.
10. Get ready for tough questions.
If your new doctor doesn’t ask you a question that makes you blush. You may not be getting the best care.
When you meet him at your first appointment. You might expect general questions about things like family history, allergies, and the medications you take. But he should dive into your habits and personal life too. This, of course, plays a role in your health as well, so he should ask you the question that is of concern. if you drink alcohol, smoke, use illegal drugs promiscuous get enough sleep how much exercise And how do you rate your stress level?
He was not prying on this matter. This helps him gauge your risk for certain lifestyle-related diseases. and help him better tailor your care, Dr. Levy says.
“If you weren’t asked that question. That should be a red flag,” said Dr. Vigil.
11. Expect to get the time you deserve.
Yep, we got it. Doctors are busy people. In fact, a 1999 landmark study in JAMA found that primary care physicians let patients talk on average for just 23 seconds before interrupting them.
Good documentation doesn’t get any less messy. But it will make you feel like they have time for you and your concerns. They will engage you in meaningful conversations and give you the time you need to understand your point.
But even the great doctor can’t stop the clock. He should plan to answer questions. whether through an appointment for follow-up or by phone or email, Dr. Levy said.
12. Expect him to be interested in you.
Electronic health records (EHR) have many uses, such as tracking information and helping medical professionals communicate with each other. But it can interfere with face-to-face interactions if your doctor isn’t careful.
That’s because when you say Your document will click on the keyboard. So what you might see is the top of his head. You might feel like you’re diving into a black hole. Even if he’s actually recording everything you’re saying.
“If the patient doesn’t feel that they are receiving personal attention, that’s not good,” said Dr Vigil, “that’s a deficit that shouldn’t happen.”
But excellent communicators can navigate the art of EHRs, balancing all the necessary information while still paying attention to you. which helps to have a better conversation More comfort—and potential for better care
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