How to Interview a New Dr.

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BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <bR> <div> <B><U>HOW   TO   INTERVIEW  A  NEW  DR.</U></B></div> <bR> <div> <B> What should be asked prior to the first appt.??</B></div> <bR> <div> I would think--because I have been fortunate enough to have ONLY had Drs. that are very good with RSD......but shall let the nurse in me speak here:</div> <bR> <div> 1.     Always ask the office if you can have an interview with the Dr.---tell them that prior to taking his time for a "first" visit,  you want 10-15 minutes with him.  (I know, for those living far--that is not practical.  Some Drs will call and give a phone interview---these are your good Drs. generally!)  During this visit, you ask all your general questions....which for those who cannot get to him, for those Drs who dont' do them etc...you start here...at</div> <bR> <div> 2.     Ask first for his credentials.. Find out if he has had any "special" training for RSD..ie..pain management courses or CEU's designed to teach or update on RSD treatment, neurological courses for the same....etc.  As him how many years he has been treating patients with RSD?  These questions will give you an insight into his working knowledge.</div> <bR> <div> 3.     Ask him what HIS theories are, how does he treat RSD at this time and what his long-term prognosis is for the treatment of RSD.</div> <bR> <div> 4.     Find out how long it takes to get an "emergency" appointment,  what the office "rules" for refills are and where does he send his patients to for after-hours emergencies.  Generally, Drs that can give you a good idea of where to go after-hours (more specifically than only---local ER-----by providing you with the hospital HE uses--are good Drs !!</div> <bR> <div> 5.     ALWAYS ask what drugs, PT, procedures he prescribes/do on a regular basis for MOST patients is/are!!    He should give you and idea of his style of practice!!  If he can't or if it clashes with everything you have seen/heard--be sure to have him explain why his differs.   It may be that is one of the cutting edge Drs, and he has already learned that such and such does nothing proven!!  Do not assume though, that simply because so and so said blocks are useless or so and so said such and such drug is not good for RSD---that this is true!!  I have seen and by gosh, have probably written something myself, things that are not necessarily true!!  We are humans and humans are not always right--oh, be sure and share that with the Dr also.  He may forget he is human!   He makes mistakes also and if he acts at this time like you have totally offended him and he attempts to try and make you understand that he is the DR.  and knows everything---RUN, DO NOT WALK OUT OF THERE!!!!!!  Any Dr. who acts perfect at this time is T-R-O-U-B-L-E!!!</div> <bR> <div> Okay, those are the beginning questions I would definitely recommend asking.  I am sure there are hundreds and you guys--don't just say, yea-that sounds good--add more, change some or whatever.  Do not follow this fool blindly!!</div> <div> Then you ask--What should we ask each visit?</div> <div> You better be asking him pertinent questions to what has happened with YOU since you last saw him!!</div> <div> You can always ask about procedures or drugs you have read/heard about here, but remember--we do not always know what the heck we are talking about!  We are on drugs!! We have memory problems!!</div> <div> You can and should make a list of your daily pain levels.  I just put the number on the calendar: 5-6 under the 10th etc...with anything I have done that day that seemed to make it better or worse.  I takes 2 seconds to do this each day--I don't keep a diary per se-- just write the numbers!!</div> <div> Ask what procedures or PT treatments he wants you to continue or try......If you have been going to PT and your daily recorded levels for pain have been remaining the same or higher and you are not able to move any differently--Guess what?  You are wasting your time and money and probably putting yourself into a higher pain level!!  Do you  want him to be unaware of that and prescribe you another 4 weeks of pain??!!!  I don't think so!</div> <div> Be sure to tell him too of any changes...attitudes...depression...spreading of symptoms...lack of sleep...falling-even if you always are but now tell him, "Hey, I fell 3 times in one day and this is way more than usual.  Remember, you started me on ---new drug---and I read that is can cause this symptom....Do you think we need to change this amount I am taking of it?"  Things like this are always, ALWAYS, <I><B>ALWAYS </B></I>best to put in the form of a question and give the appearance of asking him HIS advice!!  Drs are like us--they can get their feelings hurt and if you at any time offend one--guess what??  The tend to begin to treat you like you do not have a clue!!  And if you do not have a clue--how can ANYTHING you want have validity!!??!!!!!</div> <div> These are a few things I know that are helpful.  I am fortunate to have Drs. that are knowledgeable.  But sometimes I think it is because the first Drs I had--even before RSD--were top of the line in my eyes.  I have ALWAYS done basically the above for any Dr. I have chosen to go to.  </div> <div> Let me close----if you have any questions about anything I wrote---you can find me at dianneblackburn@houston.rr.com</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Written by:</div> <div> Dianne Blackburn, </div> <div> RSD Patient-- 20yrs.                                                        </div> </td> </tr></table></body>