The specialist is Sylvester Stallone going around blowing stuff up. But for this purpose it is the specialist physician. And not to be confused with a surgeon. A surgeon is a person who does the operating or cutting. A physician treats you outside of the OR and normally specialises in a disease type eg. an oncologist treating cancer) or a part of the body (eg. a neurologist treating the brain). At the moment I am consulting with 4 specialist physicians, two neurologist, a nephrologist and a haemotologist.
So what should one look for in a physician. Well, specialists tend to be a little more quirky than your GP, and often come over a bit geeky. Normally, in their chosen field they are more intelligent than you or I could ever hope to be, but there are better ones, so here are my tips.
1. I know I said that they are normally intelligent, but it is normally good to check anyway. Look up their qualifications and their professional associations as a starting point.
2. Google the name of your doctor. If it's public record, good or bad, you will normally be able to find the information on line.
3. Talk to your GP. If your GP has recommended the specialist, ask why. If you have sourced your own, use the opportunity to open a dialogue with your GP about the pros and cons of your choice.
4. It is important to have a degree of respect and likeness for the doctor. If you don't you are likely to reject his advice which will only be to your own detriment.
5. Make sure he is a realist. Your doctor should take into account your lifestyle and other medical problems when evaluating your treatment options. After all, life isn't just about curing all your medical problems, it is about making the most out of your time on this planet. Your doctor should be realistic about weighing up all factors.
Remember, it is never too late to change a doctor if you are unhappy with your current one and you always have a right to a second opinion. Next time I will talk about surgeons. Until then, stay well:)
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