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How to Choose a Doctor – Top 5 Things to Consider When Selecting a Healthcare Practitioner
By Verria Kelly, the Good Health Coach
Whether you’re misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or chronically ill, a quality healthcare practitioner is very important on your healing journey. Your doctor, whether he or she is a medical doctor or natural health practitioner, will either set you in the right direction or delay your healing process. While the average person can check their insurance handbook or simply pick someone from the online yellow pages, your case is special in that you need a certain type of doctor – someone who's smarter than the average bear – someone who's willing to ask questions, investigate, and devote precious time to solving your case.
Top 5 Things to Consider When Selecting a Healthcare Practitioner:
He considers you to be his partner. He holds the medical knowledge, but you are the expert on your body. Neither doctor nor patient can solve health problems without input from the other. He values your opinion on his prognosis. If something doesn’t make sense, he's willing to look at things from another angle.
- He doesn’t try and force a certain diagnosis on you.
- He believes what you’re going through and never indicates otherwise.
- He’s willing to answer all questions, including those that challenge his diagnosis and/or prognosis.
- He will ask a million questions! He has a strong desire to solve-health related problems and will not give up until he figures it out.
- If you look for these features, you’ll find a doctor who will help you figure out your illness. Remember, proper diagnosis leads to effective treatment!
In looking for your partner in health, perform research online. Read reviews of doctors at sites like ratemds.com and vitals.com.
Then interview potential doctors and staff. Find out what kind of degree the doctor has, and find out if he keeps up with continuing education and the latest medical advances.
Consider practitioners of natural health and alternative healthcare, too. I'm a big fan of alternative practitioners. In fact, I wonder why they're called alternative practitioners. Alternative to what? Outdated ideas?
Depending on your illness, you may want to visit a nutritionist, chiropractor, herbalist, massage therapist, or acupuncturist. There are many different types of alternative medicine practitioners. Do some research and find one that suits you!
Finally, remember that all doctors and practitioners are not created equal. If you get a bad vibe from your visit – for example, if your doctor seems rushed and inattentive or cold and unsympathetic, don't be afraid to end the appointment right then and there. You can find another doctor who will provide the type of service that you need.
Read more articles or view my tip sheets.
About the Author: This article was written by Verria Kelly, the Good Health Coach. Verria has over 15 years of experience battling mystery symptoms, misdiagnosis and chronic illness. Verria helps those that are frustrated with health challenges take control of their health and regain freedom in their lives. Her web site is a comprehensive resource with free articles and valuable information for those suffering from mystery symptoms, misdiagnosis, chronic illnesses or those that are simply sick and tired of being sick and tired. Visit her web site at http://www.goodhealthcoach.com , or email her at verria.kelly@goodhealthcoach.com
How to Choose a Doctor – Top 5 Things to Consider when Selecting a Healthcare Practitioner © Verria Kelly 2009. All rights reserved.
Author's note: You're welcome to use this article as content for your own ezine or web site! Just make sure that the article remains complete and unaltered (including the "About the author" info and copyright line at the end), and that you send a copy of your reprint to verria.kelly@goodhealthcoach.com.
 
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