Sangye
02-25-2011, 04:17 AM
Consumer Reports magazine did a great article with this title this month. I accessed it online and wanted to summarize the main points.
1) Form a long-term relationship with your primary care doc.
2) Be respectful and courteous to your docs.
70% said that had gone downhill since they started practicing. (I wonder if they've considered how shorter visit times and "One Problem Per Visit" limits are impacting that.)
3) Follow your doc's instructions (eg meds, home care)
4) Pain is tough to treat.
It's very difficult for doctors to be unable to eradicate a patient's pain completely, and it troubles them.
5) Keep track yourself.
"89% said that keeping an informal log of treatments, drugs, changes in condition, notes from previous doctor visits, and tests and procedures could be helpful."
"80% thought taking a friend or relative to your office visit could be beneficial"
6) Be cautious about online research
"Almost half of physicians we surveyed said online research helps very little or not at all, and just 8% thought it was very helpful" The article stressed the importance of using credible sources online.
7) Doctors are pressed for time.
"The sheer volume of insurance paperwork was No. 1 on the list of things that interfere with their ability to provide optimal care. Next was financial pressures that may force the majority of primary-care providers in our survey to work more than 50 hours a week seeing more than 100 patients."
The article listed ways you can use the time more efficiently, like bringing a list of questions and symptoms. They also said not to settle for a doc whose rushing impacts the quality of care you're getting.
8) They talk to drug salespeople and they don't want you to know about their malpractice cases.
"The majority said that pharmaceutical company representatives contacted them more than 10 times a month. 36% were contacted more than 20 times a month. On average doctors said they spend a few hours a week dealing with pharmaceutical salespeople."
"47% said information about whether the physician has been involved in a malpractice lawsuit was 'of little value.' Only 17% said that information about disciplinary actions by medical licensing boards was 'very valuable.' "
9) Find Dr Right
In addition to stuff we know, there were 2 suggestions that we don't usually hear:
"Use your first appointment as an audition. If you have a specific health condition, ask how much experience that doctor has with it. And be open about other concerns you have."
"Break up if it isn't working."
1) Form a long-term relationship with your primary care doc.
2) Be respectful and courteous to your docs.
70% said that had gone downhill since they started practicing. (I wonder if they've considered how shorter visit times and "One Problem Per Visit" limits are impacting that.)
3) Follow your doc's instructions (eg meds, home care)
4) Pain is tough to treat.
It's very difficult for doctors to be unable to eradicate a patient's pain completely, and it troubles them.
5) Keep track yourself.
"89% said that keeping an informal log of treatments, drugs, changes in condition, notes from previous doctor visits, and tests and procedures could be helpful."
"80% thought taking a friend or relative to your office visit could be beneficial"
6) Be cautious about online research
"Almost half of physicians we surveyed said online research helps very little or not at all, and just 8% thought it was very helpful" The article stressed the importance of using credible sources online.
7) Doctors are pressed for time.
"The sheer volume of insurance paperwork was No. 1 on the list of things that interfere with their ability to provide optimal care. Next was financial pressures that may force the majority of primary-care providers in our survey to work more than 50 hours a week seeing more than 100 patients."
The article listed ways you can use the time more efficiently, like bringing a list of questions and symptoms. They also said not to settle for a doc whose rushing impacts the quality of care you're getting.
8) They talk to drug salespeople and they don't want you to know about their malpractice cases.
"The majority said that pharmaceutical company representatives contacted them more than 10 times a month. 36% were contacted more than 20 times a month. On average doctors said they spend a few hours a week dealing with pharmaceutical salespeople."
"47% said information about whether the physician has been involved in a malpractice lawsuit was 'of little value.' Only 17% said that information about disciplinary actions by medical licensing boards was 'very valuable.' "
9) Find Dr Right
In addition to stuff we know, there were 2 suggestions that we don't usually hear:
"Use your first appointment as an audition. If you have a specific health condition, ask how much experience that doctor has with it. And be open about other concerns you have."
"Break up if it isn't working."