My latest article

[wolfter]

We all keep a bit of selves personal.  I write a column for our local paper and am ready to submit it early due to my upcoming surgery this Tuesday.  I'll give my first glimpse here shortly as I have to use flash drive technology.  I love to write on my lap top then put it on the little stick drive and move it to my pic.  This is not the final draft, just a overview,   brb

[Jeff G]

cool

[wolfter]

How much time do we spend searching for the best professionals?  When it comes to auto mechanics, I’ve dealt with numerous people within our community and can safely and confidently recommend various individuals and businesses based on their expertise.  Need a plumber or electrician?  I’ve researched and experienced their work and am happy to recommend them. 

I regularly receive calls asking what to do about various problems and situations.  I usually have an answer.  Need someone to install a new deck?  I have a few people who are fantastic at that trade and offer a great value.  Need a new car or used car?  I’ll share my experiences without telling you what to do.  This is the great benefit of turning 40 and I am sure a lot of people have a rolodex full of people that we trust with our most prized possessions.

But, many of us really don’t do our research on the most important asset we own!  I’m talking about our health and well-being.  This is not a commentary about any specific doctor or medical facility, but rather a wake up call that smacked me in the head like a proverbial 2 x 4.

I’m not even sure how I became a patient of my former doctor.  Probably a referral or perhaps the phone book.  I’m really not sure.  I don’t need to discuss the specifics of what I’ve went through for the last 2 years, but I need to share a little of what I’ve learned.

But I do need to share a little history in order to express my sentiments.  My previous doctor and local medical center dismissed my previous concerns and issues.  I reluctantly agreed that all I needed was an over-the-counter pain medication.  My condition got worse and I reluctantly agreed to go to a different facility out of county due to my family’s urging.  Within a few days, I was diagnosed with a potentially lethal brain infection.

I would love to share the name of my new family doctor, but that’s not the point of my commentary.  I was fortunate to be connected with a specialist who decided to allow me to be his patient and perform as my primary care physician.

We need to start treating doctors as any other professional.  My first appointment with my new doctor lasted longer than all my previous doctor appointments combined.  I’ve researched this issue ad nausea and have developed a self specific list of items that I feel are necessary.
1.   Are you comfortable with your health care provider?  Does he/she allow adequate time to discuss your issues?  If they act like it’s more important to go to the next patient, move on.
2.   Do you really like the person?  I’ve discovered that I am under the care of a great person I am so totally comfortable with, that it seems like talking with a friend. 
3.   Obviously, are they board certified with all the qualifications?
4.   Do they have a process of responding that is quick and easy?  My doctor uses a web based application that allows for timely access to results and communication. 

I am in no way an expert in this field; this is just my interpretation of my own personal facts.  I’m forwarding this to my doctor prior to submitting it to see if he wants to add anything.  (NOTE to Dr. Murry, I will obviously delete this if you don’t wish to add a few pointers).

I'

[wolfter]

I'm not sure if this is appropriate for my current aritcle, but i don't care.  I had my deadline due and had to write something I'm passionate about.  Any little suggestions might be taken as I have submitted it to my editor yet.  Thanks all, and the jist of my article is true.

[wolfter]

I'm pretty sure this is my latest commuity article.  I don't see much that needs tweeked.

[ElZorro]

Great article, Wolf. You're so right, too, about treating selection of a doctor like one would look for a lawyer, accountant, or handyman (or being even more diligent).

I remember my last private practice GP. I found him via referral from a friend. Pretty much the biggest criterion I used to accept him was the fact that he was gay. Unfortunately, he wasn't a great doctor. His office was more like an assembly line: get there earlier, wait around and be seen late, and then, time with him was very rushed. I don't miss him at all and am greatful he's not the one treating me now.

Nice job! 

[ElZorro]

duplicate post

[Theyer]

Its a good article ,W, hopefully it will generate some comment within your community. I also need a Doctor who is able to say " I don't know " for me thats very important.

Be thinking off you next week.
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