Few people have the opportunity to keep the same doctor all their lives.
But choosing a new doctor — whether because of relocation, change in health plans, dissatisfaction or another factor — should be done with care, according to Jeff Long, a board certified Baptist Health System (BHS) family physician in Haleyville.
“Doctors and patients form a partnership, working together to make the best possible decisions about your health care,” said Long, who also works with occupational medicine. “You need to feel comfortable with your physician.”
Noting a health care plan will give the patient a starting point as to what treatment and/or which doctor is allowed, Long said people should first think about what they want in a doctor.
“Consider style and philosophy,” he said. “Do you want the physician to be more talkative or be strictly business?
“Gender, location and specialty are also factors to consider,” added Long, a member of Corinth Heights Baptist Church, Haleyville. “Family doctors focus on all ages.”
Robert Smith, a board certified BHS family physician in Blountsville, said a family physician is “hard to beat as the primary care physician.” And having one primary care physician is the best way to coordinate a person’s health care, Smith said.
Family physicians can recognize and treat most of the common problems in orthopedic, geriatric and pediatric because they receive a general, overall training, Smith said. Family physicians also can treat the entire family, which is another benefit, he noted.
“We’re trained to recognize and treat 80 percent of all illnesses,” Smith said. “We refer things out that are beyond our area of expertise.”
Family physicians are especially ideal for small towns, because every type of specialization can’t be represented in every area, Smith said.
Other options for a primary care doctor include an internist, who specializes in adult or internal medicine, a pediatrician for children and an OB/GYN for women. From there, specialists are available as people need them.
Smith pointed out the difference in a family physician and a general physician is board certification. General physicians have rotating internships but are not board certified. Family physicians are certified.
Once the type of doctor is determined, Long said to ask for referrals to narrow your search. “If you are moving away from a doctor you know and trust, ask [him or her] to recommend someone in your new area,” Long said. Also ask family members, friends and coworkers. “Find out what they like about their doctors to make sure their needs are similar to yours.”
Other options for referrals include local hospitals and the American Medical Association’s doctor finder service (www.americanmedicalassociation.com).
Long suggested finding out the following information about a doctor:
- Training.
- Years in practice.
- Hospital affiliation
- Certification.
- Areas of expertise.
“You should also call to see if the doctor is accepting new patients and find out how long it will take to get an appointment,” Long said. Find out how the billing is handled, who covers for the doctor when he or she is not available and the procedure for weekend or emergency appointments.
Another area to evaluate is the doctor’s support staff, Long said. “It is important that they are friendly and helpful.”
Long and Smith agree that once a doctor is selected the first visit can be used as an evaluation time. The doctor should allot extra time for a new patient to build the relationship and allow the patient to ask questions.
The patient should always feel comfortable to ask questions and discuss the reason for the visit with the doctor, they said. Both also agree that listening to the patient will most often tell the doctor exactly what is wrong.
“I like to have the patient talk to start with, and then I ask specific questions,” Smith said. “They will generally tell you what’s wrong.”
Honest patients also have a more successful trip to the doctor, Long added. “Be honest about your lifestyle, diet, alcohol intake and supplements,” he said. “If you don’t reveal all that to your physician, then it is hard to be on the same team. You should also follow his or her instructions exactly.”
What to do before visiting a doctor:
- Write down questions, topics to discuss.
- Write down symptoms: when they started, what they feel like, any lifestyle changes that might have taken place when the symptoms started, how often the symptoms occur, when they get better, when they get worse, what seems to trigger the symptoms, what relieves the symptoms, any family members with similar symptoms.
- Compile a list of all medications, including over-the-counter medications, you are taking.
Chiropractors provide helpful pain relief
Certain kinds of pain call for treatment from doctors specifically trained for those areas.
When it comes to neck and back pain, chiropractors are gaining recognition as experts
“A chiropractor is a doctor who uses spinal manipulation to improve joint function and the function of the nervous system,” said Dr. Trey Lott, M.D., D.C.
Lott, who practices as a medical doctor and also a chiropractor in Birmingham, said, “The basic idea is to restore the nervous system function so the person doesn’t hurt as much.
“Chiropractors don’t use medicine,” he noted. “Everything they do is holistic in nature.” They use their hands to put motion back in the joint that lost motion, which in turn caused it to swell, irritated the nerves and created muscle spasms and disfunction, he said.
“When it comes to back pain, in my opinion, spinal manipulation is the best treatment,” Lott said.
But he contends working as a team with a medical doctor brings the most success.
“The doctor can prescribe medication to help with the pain until the chiropractor fixes the cause of the problem,” he said, noting that sometimes the symptom has to be treated as well as the problem.
Lott encourages people who see a chiropractor to share that information with their medical doctor. “It is important that patients are upfront,” he said.
While Lott has the advantage of being both a chiropractor and a medical doctor, he said he also receives referrals from other medical doctors.
“Most medical doctors are referring patients to chiropractors now,” he said, noting that at one time chiropractors were frowned upon by medical doctors. “It is favorable now,” he said. “It gets the patients well quicker and is more cost effective.”
Holistic health available
Achieving balance in life may be the single most challenging element common to all North Americans as they enter the 21st century.
Between climbing the career ladder, raising children, keeping up with technology and participating in life’s activities, many people struggle with allotting time for relaxation, exercise, nutrition and spiritual growth.
The total wellness of mind, body and soul is becoming increasingly nonexistent.
But all hope is not lost, experts say. And people want total wellness more now than ever.
This is evident with the vast array of books, tapes and seminars available to consumers. People hunger to achieve balance and find total wellness in life.
With all the information available, there should be no excuses. Yet books are purchased and sit on a shelf because there is no time to read them.
Goals are made, but soon forgotten because of unexpected events that prevent the “new you” from becoming a reality.
Still, health experts believe achieving total wellness is possible, and no one is too far gone to start now.
The following pages (9-15) are provided to offer educational material and information to begin a true effort toward total wellness.
Share with others: