Countless magazine and website articles are devoted to teaching people make the most of their doctor's visit. The doctor is rushed, distracted, overworked and unfocused. Patients must be prepared to summarize their questions quickly. People need a patient/doctor relationship where they can think out the symptoms and solutions together. Where can an individual ask a doctor a question and get a thorough and well-though-out answer?
Primary Care Physician Visits
Despite the fact that a patient spends 10 minutes with his doctor during a typical visit, the best place to ask medical questions is face-to-face with the primary care physician. During a visit, patients should be prepared to give the doctor the most amount of information in the least amount of time, telling the doctor quickly what the symptoms are, when they occur, how long the symptoms last and any additional information. This will allow the visit to be as productive as possible and give the patient the opportunity to interact with his doctor in the most efficient manner possible.
Finding Good Information on the Web
When an individual wishes to expand on his doctor's advice, research a problem or ask other questions, there are many additional options for questioning a doctor-- the Internet. Many websites have forums where doctors online can answer a wide variety of questions. The public must be cautious with such sites, as the professionalism and accountability of the doctor who is answering the questions should be ascertained. The American Medical Association allows the public to check the credentials and standing of doctors throughout America online, which will allow an individual to determine the credentials of the doctor who is providing the answers.
Popular Sites for Questions to Doctors
One such site which is connected with the Harvard Health Publications, a division of Harvard Medical School, is Medpedia. The publications provide consumer health information to the public. The Q&A page allows people to submit questions to be answered by Harvard Health Publication medical experts (whose credentials are listed). Each expert answers questions relating to her own specialty. A second popular site is DoctorsLounge.com, where an individual can register for free and then ask his question on the appropriate forum.
Medical Associations as Sources
Asking a doctor a question can be accomplished through the websites of the various medical associations as well. Many association websites maintain an "ask the expert" forum which allows the public to receive answers to their questions from doctors who are specialists in that particular field. A comprehensive list of many associations is at Medilexicon.com.
Informed and Active Participants in Health Care
In today's "Managed Health Care," one of the most important things that a patient can do is to manage her own health care as much as possible by being an informed and active participant in her diagnosis and treatment. A good relationship with a primary care physician together with outside sources for obtaining additional knowledge will allow a patient to insure that she obtains the best health care possible.
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