A Capable Disabled Group Community Group
We would be delighted to have you join our group. A Capable Disabled Group is a mutual support group for persons who are disabled, handicapped, differently abled, or have other conditions, along with our friends and caregivers. We discuss what matters to us, learn from each other, and strive to improve our lives.
Choosing Your Doctor
A study at the Health Institute of the New England Medical Center in Boston (in the state of Massachusetts, U.S.A.) found that the more patients are assertive and involved during visits to the doctor, the better they do medically. It pays to be a savvy medical consumer - to choose your doctor wisely and to be involved in your own treatment. Your doctor, if a good one, knows the importance of the health information you provide and welcomes your commitment to follow through and co-operate in your own treatment. You should be a partner with your doctor in your health care, not a passive recipient.
A study at the Health Institute of the New England Medical Center in Boston (in the state of Massachusetts, U.S.A.) found that the more patients are assertive and involved during visits to the doctor, the better they do medically. It pays to be a savvy medical consumer - to choose your doctor wisely and to be involved in your own treatment. Your doctor, if a good one, knows the importance of the health information you provide and welcomes your commitment to follow through and co-operate in your own treatment. You should be a partner with your doctor in your health care, not a passive recipient.
Be careful when evaluating a doctor's record. Remember that a doctor who deals with patients at great risk will have a poorer 'success' rate than one whose practice is devoted to people with minor illnesses.
Be careful when evaluating a doctor's record. Remember that a doctor who deals with patients at great risk will have a poorer 'success' rate than one whose practice is devoted to people with minor illnesses.
Ask your friends about their doctors - why they like them or why they don't. If you need a specialist, ask your primary care physician for recommendations. Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) often have physician referral services - you pick your doctor from a list, but a representative may be able to give you information about the doctors.
1. How close is the doctor's office to your home?
2. Is the doctor board certified?
3. What medical school did he or she attend, and in what country?
4. Does the doctor accept your insurance?
5. How many years has the doctor been in practice?
6. Does the doctor accept credit cards?
7. How long will you have to wait for an appointment as a new patient?
8. With which hospitals and clinics is the doctor affiliated?
9. How old is the doctor?
10. How good is the doctor at communicating in English?
You may want to consult with the doctor - in a face-to-face visit - before making a decision. This is usually possible, and costs are often small.