A brief but productive interview with a physician is a mutually beneficial way to get to know each other and establish boundaries for a collaborative relationship at the onset. The worst that can happen is that you realize before the commitment that the realtionship won't work.
As to the time issue: Physicians usually have office time and some days with blocks of office time. If briefly meeting your doctor before you commit to a first appointment is important and he/she does not have time perhaps this in itself is indicative that you have divergent expectations.
Questions should relate to your expectations and preferences,your specific acute and ongoing medical needs and occurences that have frustrated you in the past to inquire about how your new doctor has handled similar situations.
The basics might include:
* How have you managed patients who are frustrated with long waits in the waiting room? Fellow patients in the waiting room can answer if this is an issue but you might also get insight into the practice's perspective on having to wait and learn about growth and staffing patterns. Most people are forgiving of infrequent extended waits; but with regularity it can jeopardize the relationship/patronage.
* Are patients required to cycle through all partners in the practice? At what frequency? What are the allowed exceptions, if any?
If you are seeking a specialist in Gerontology specifics might include:
* What percentage of your current patient caseload is seniors?
* What is your philosophy on the treatment and management of confusion in seniors? What alternative/non-medical interventions have you recommended with success?
* If your elderly patients need rehabilitation in a nursing rehab center do you follow their care at the rehab center? At what facilities do you have priveleges?
* How much time does an appointment allow for patient questions and education? How do you prefer patients communicate their questions: give them to the nurse upon arrival, ask them during/after the appointment, or a combination of the two?
The idea is to be reasonable but also to be honest and upfront about your expectations. What do you have to lose?
Comment Reply
Tina,
A brief but productive interview with a physician is a mutually beneficial way to get to know each other and establish boundaries for a collaborative relationship at the onset. The worst that can happen is that you realize before the commitment that the realtionship won't work.
As to the time issue: Physicians usually have office time and some days with blocks of office time. If briefly meeting your doctor before you commit to a first appointment is important and he/she does not have time perhaps this in itself is indicative that you have divergent expectations.
Questions should relate to your expectations and preferences,your specific acute and ongoing medical needs and occurences that have frustrated you in the past to inquire about how your new doctor has handled similar situations.
The basics might include:
* How have you managed patients who are frustrated with long waits in the waiting room? Fellow patients in the waiting room can answer if this is an issue but you might also get insight into the practice's perspective on having to wait and learn about growth and staffing patterns. Most people are forgiving of infrequent extended waits; but with regularity it can jeopardize the relationship/patronage.
* Are patients required to cycle through all partners in the practice? At what frequency? What are the allowed exceptions, if any?
If you are seeking a specialist in Gerontology specifics might include:
* What percentage of your current patient caseload is seniors?
* What is your philosophy on the treatment and management of confusion in seniors? What alternative/non-medical interventions have you recommended with success?
* If your elderly patients need rehabilitation in a nursing rehab center do you follow their care at the rehab center? At what facilities do you have priveleges?
* How much time does an appointment allow for patient questions and education? How do you prefer patients communicate their questions: give them to the nurse upon arrival, ask them during/after the appointment, or a combination of the two?
The idea is to be reasonable but also to be honest and upfront about your expectations. What do you have to lose?
July 2, 2008 - 9:18amThis Comment
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