Selecting and working with a doctor can be a daunting task. The following links maybe of assistance in a number of areas.
Medications and Older Adults
Of all the problems older adults face in taking medication, drug interactions are probably the most dangerous. This FDA article discusses this subject.
How to choose a doctor?
Choosing a qualified medical doctor is important to your health care. Everyone should have a primary care physician for overall medical care.
The following are suggestions to consider when choosing a doctor.
Be sure to select a primary care doctor to coordinate your care. Your primary care doctor should be and internist, a family practitioner, a pediatrician (for children), or a general practitioner. If you rely on a more a more narrow specialist – say a surgeon – for primary care, this specialist may see the cures for your health problems in the tasks he or she is skilled to perform – surgery, perhaps, where treatment with drugs would suffice.
Give preference to doctors who are board certified. Board certification means a doctor has taken at least three to seven years of post-medical-school training and has passed a difficult exam.
You can check on a doctors’ credentials at the Web site of the American Medical Association (or paste the following URL into your browser www.ama-assn.org) or the American Board of Medical Specialists (or paste the following URL into your browser www.certifieddoctor.com)
Try to choose a doctor who has teaching responsibilities at a hospital. Spending even a few hours a week training young doctors assures that a doctor is exposed to new ideas and developments and is continually challenged.
Choose a doctor who has admitting privileges at high quality hospitals.
Consider selecting a doctor who practices in a group. Doctors who share an office may share ideas and maintain informal standards of quality.
Ask about a doctor’s policies on giving advice by telephone. Telephone advice can be a great convenience – a partial substitute for the house call most doctors are reluctant to make.
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