You usually encounter a specialist when your primary care doctor wants to confirm a diagnosis or wants a second opinion. If your family physician recommends a specialist or you seek one on your own, then here are questions that need to be answered:

“Why do I have to see a specialist?” Or, put another way, “I’d like a good explanation of what you think is wrong with me.” Ask for—demand, if necessary—a complete and understandable point by-point diagnostic portrait. Maybe your doctor can’t or won’t explain things clearly to you. Or he or she might respond resentfully to your questions with “If you don’t trust my judgment, then perhaps you should find yourself another doctor.” Take that advice. Find yourself another doctor who can and wants to explain things, one you can trust, and who trusts you. Going to a specialist should not be a casual next step routinely taken in every medical situation.

Why this kind of specialist?” Again, it’s information you’re after. You need to know about the specialist’s areas of expertise, and what is involved with the performance of that specialty. Knowing this will help you determine whether you want to see the specialist at all. That is an option. You don’t have to see a specialist (or see that particular specialist) immediately if you are not convinced that consultation is justified. Let your doctor know that he or she must make a very good case for every step taken in your medical care.

Why this particular specialist?” Why Dr. Jones and not Dr. Smith? Is Dr. Jones the best person for the job? Are you being sent to Dr. Jones because he is an excellent representative of his profession? Or is it because Dr. Jones and your doctor are country club buddies or old college friends who have an arrangement, each recommending the other? While there is nothing wrong with friends referring patients to each other, you want to feel confident that competence is the basic reason for the referral.

Tags: Ask Your Doctor, Before You See a Specialist, Why do I have to see a specialist, Why this kind of specialist, Why this particular specialist

Posted on Wednesday, May 21st, 2008 at 2:06 pm filed under Health.