The Good Doctor

ONCE upon a simpler time, doctors were akin to family jewellers. You know, your mum or grandmum frequented one, and expected you to follow...

ONCE upon a simpler time, doctors were akin to family jewellers. You know, your mum or grandmum frequented one, and expected you to follow suit8212;and more often than not, you didn8217;t have any cause to fault her choice. But just like the jewellery market, the medical profession has developed, and specialised far beyond genial bedside manners and one-capsule-for-all cures.

How do I choose the right doc?
8216;8216;If money is not an issue, perceptions usually decide patients. In either case, one needs to be certain of what you are looking for,8217;8217; says Dr Anoop Misra, professor of medicine at All India Institute of Medical Sciences. Here are some criteria to get you on your way:
8226; Get a list of doctors dealing with your particular problem
8226; If you have hospitalisation in mind, and are comfortable with a specific hospital, check that the physician you choose can access that hospital
8226; Check fees and get an estimate of the approximate layout
8226; Factor in convenience. Your doctor8217;s clinic should be close to your home or workplace

But comfort levels can8217;t be decided so clinically!
Right. So keep these factors in mind:
Communication: 8216;8216;You are the most important partner in your medical care,8217;8217; says Dr Misra. The physician must listen to you, welcome and answer your questions and provide comprehensible explanations. Gender is an issue only if you are more comfortable with a man/woman
Availability: Try pitting your doc against these questions: How can you reach him? Is it easy to get an appointment?
Legalities: Check registration, qualifications
Competence: Check how many years he has been practising, his reputation, whether he8217;s giving you advice on preventive medicine
Access to medical records: It is your right to have copies of your medical records. Under special circumstances, a physician may want to withhold certain information, but he should be ready to explain why

THE CHEAT SHEET

While degrees and educational background are easy to verify8212;most doctors8217; chambers will display basic certificates8212;other factors may be tough to check. You could:

8226; Chat up the receptionist, ask discreet questions
about the doctor8217;s continuing education, involvement in seminars etc
8226; Study patients in the waiting room. What is their general demeanour? Do they seem more confident once they8217;ve seen the doctor?
8226; Check out old patients. Find out what their experiences were like?
l Fall back on the trusted friend in the medical profession to suss out details about the doctor8217;s record

Phew! That8217;s a whole personality test!
Not really. The first consultation is usually enough to give you an idea about certain basic qualities. Try answering these questions:
8226; Did your first consultation include your personal medical history, plus a physical examination?
8226; Was it done sensitively?
8226; Were you prescribed paraclinical examinations without being asked your personal history or given a check-up? That8217;s a negative mark against him

But what if I need a specialist?
General health: Most of your medical care will come from the GP, who caters to all ages
Hypertension/diabetes: 8216;8216;An MD in internal medicine and specialised training in diabetes are essential,8217;8217; says Dr Misra
Respiratory illness: Must have an MD in medicine or DM in chest diseases, lawless record of diagnosis and minimum use of invasive procedures
Gynaecology: PG specialisation in obstetrics and gynaecology, training in full range of reproductive issues for women, from childbirth to menopause, are essential
Cardiology: 8220;A DNB and DM in cardiology, besides foreign degrees, specialised training in invasive procedures, adequate exposure to patients and cardiac procedures and exposure to associated ailments are essential,8217;8217; says Dr Sameer Srivastava, senior consultant at Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre
Paediatrics: A PG degree in paediatrics, sub-specialisation in cardiology and neurology and further training in related fields essential. Also, at least five years8217; experience