The Most Important Skills

You Must Learn

In Order to Succeed In the Civilian World

 

(Part 7)

 

 

How to choose the right medical doctors for you and your family when you begin your life in the civilian world

 

 

When you are in the military the government always makes sure that you and your family have the best possible medical insurance.  The military provides full medical and dental care for all its military members and their families. The government makes sure that their prescriptions, immunizations, hospitalization and complete annual physicals, is provided to their soldiers and family members.

 

You do not have to worry about finding the right doctor or dentist because the military provides them for you.  However, once you leave the military and make the transition into the civilian world then everything changes.  You are on your own.

 

So what now?  How do you find the right doctors that are going to provide you with top quality healthcare?  So what is the first step?

 

First…

 

• If you are looking for a doctor outside the military, ask family members, friends, and other health care professionals for the names of doctors they recommend.
• Once you purchase a health care plan you can also call the insurance company and as them for doctors in your area.  Once you get the numbers from the insurance company call the doctors and ask the some important questions to help you decide what doctor’s right for you and your family.
• When you arrive at the doctors office ask him some questions, make sure you feel comfortable with him.  Most people when they meet someone can tell if he is good and knows what he’s talking about or a quack that makes you wonder how this guy got his license to practice.

 

The questions to ask…

 

1. Then find out the answers to some important questions. First, determine if the doctor is accepting new patients.
2. Ask if they offer introductory visits for people who want to meet before deciding on a doctor. If so, ask what you should bring with you to such a meeting and what the fee will be, if any.

 

The questions to ask when meeting the doctor for the first time:

 

1. Where did they receive their medical training?
2. How long have they been practicing?
3. Do they accept your health insurance plan?  Make sure that they accept your plan.  The costs of medical bills can run you through the roof.
4. Is this a group practice or would you be seen by one doctor exclusively?
5. Are they able to complete simple lab tests on site?
6. What days and times do they see patients?
7. How far in advance do you need to make appointments?
8. What are their procedures for after-hours emergencies?
9. Which hospital do they admit patients to?
10. What is their philosophy for prescribing treatment or recommending procedures?
11. Are they willing to work with you to maintain your health and well-being?
12. Do they consider alternative treatment options such as nutrition, herbs, homeopathy, acupuncture, or chiropractic?   You do not always need medicine to help you with certain conditions.  Sometimes alternative treatment can be just as effective and safer for your body.

 

 

Choosing a dentist is much the same process. In addition to most of the same questions for a doctor, here are some other questions to ask when you meet the dentist for the first time.

 

1. What is their philosophy for performing dentistry? For instance, how do they determine whether to crown or simply fill a tooth?
2. What subject has their continuing education been in recently?
3. What is their specialty?
4. Do they keep up with current techniques?
5. Do they perform a thorough oral cancer examination of your entire mouth or just look at your teeth?
6. Who are the specialists they would refer you to for work outside their expertise?
7. How many dentists are in the office?
8. How many staff do they have?

 

The more dentists that work out of an office, the more staff they need. This means they have a larger overhead and have to see more patients in order to pay the bills.

 

This usually translates into less time for personal service because they need to hurry patients through. You will be taken care of better by choosing a dentist that works alone or with one to two other dentists in the office.

 

The front office staff is a direct reflection of the doctors or dentists they support. When you visit the office, take note of how the staff treats you. Are they helpful, friendly and attentive, or harried, tense and impersonal?   I have been to offices where the doctors were great, but the staff was terrible.  It makes it uncomfortable for the patient.  You should find a doctor that has a friendly and knowledgeable staff along with a doctor that knows what he is doing.

 

 

Things to look for when observing the office…

 

1. Are the phones answered quickly?
2. Do they seem organized and professional?
3. How easy does it appear to be able to arrange for payments and follow-up appointments?
4. Do they respect patient privacy, or do they discuss details in front of the entire waiting room?
5. Do the facilities look, smell and feel clean?

 

Choosing the right doctor is not always easy.  You hear horror stories all the time about people who were misdiagnosed or put on the wrong medicine causing them to suffer even more.  Doctors are people too.  They are just like you and me.  This is why you need to take your time and make sure you choose you future doctors wisely.  Not all doctors know what they are doing.  Most do, but not all.  So be careful and do not be afraid to ask questions.  You have the right to ask questions.  It is you and your family’s life that on the line, so make sure you pick the best possible doctors that is out there.