Finding a Quality Healthcare Provider: A Patient's Guide
How to Find a Good Doctor in Today's World?
We all find ourselves hunting for the perfect doctor - be it a therapist, cardiologist, or endocrinologist. The question pops up when scheduling appointments privately or through DMS (voluntary medical insurance). Even with OMS, there's the option to see one specialist or another. But how do we know who to choose? Here are some tips beyond the traditional "word of mouth" that might help guide your decision-making process.
Komsomolka decided to tackle this burning issue... by asking the experts themselves. Given the perfect opportunity, authorities in the medical field gathered in the "KP" editorial office for a roundtable discussion on modern medical education.
Don't Buy into "Placebos"
Alexei Paramonov, head of the Evidence-Based Medicine Center "Sunrise," warns against relying on lists of medications with unproven effectiveness - often referred to as "placebos." As a practicing gastroenterologist and candidate of medical sciences, he emphasizes that patients must use these lists as a guide. If the doctor prescribes a medication on this list, there's a good chance the quality of care will suffer. However, there are exceptions to this rule, says Dr. Paramonov. The occasional good drug whose effectiveness isn't proven in certain cases might make an appearance on these lists, but this is rare.
Stay Informed
Biological sciences candidate Ksenia Napolskaya suggests analyzing a doctor's prescriptions. Admittedly, patients may not be able to assess the adequacy of prescribed treatment. But, it's recommended to focus on keywords, just like specialists advise. For instance, Napolskaya warns against immune modulators, homeopathic remedies, and other "strange" prescriptions for children. She also recommends relying on colleague reviews. If you don't have medical friends to ask, find a highly qualified doctor and ask them for recommendations in the same specialty.
Get a Second and Third Opinion
Physiologist, biological sciences candidate, medical editor, and writer Olga Shestova suggests seeking a "second opinion" in medicine. Consulting with another specialist in the same field as your primary doctor offers an additional assessment of your diagnosis or proposed treatment plan. If a serious medical issue arises, Shestova always seeks a second and even a third opinion. It doesn't matter how good the doctor is; medical consultations are held for this very purpose.
Listen to Your Intuition
Endocrinologist and member of the Council under the President of Russia for the Development of Civil Society and Human Rights Olga Demicheva believes that patients should rely on their intuition and common sense when choosing a doctor. Trust your gut feeling, especially when doctors try to get extra money for unnecessary additional tests or appear indifferent or uninterested in your case.
If the task is to choose a psychiatrist, it's recommended to reach out to the state psychiatric service. Mental illnesses require long-term treatment, observation, and social adaptation, and it's important that the patient is integrated into the corresponding structure.
Other Considerations
If language is a concern, look for doctors who offer consultations in your preferred language or use telemedicine services specializing in Russian-speaking patients, ensuring clear communication and understanding of modern evidence-based care. When choosing a psychiatrist, it's essential that the patient is integrated into the corresponding structure and that the healthcare system is responsible for them.
In conclusion, finding a competent doctor in today's world involves targeting top-tier medical centers with qualified staff, verifying educational and scientific qualifications, reviewing patient feedback, and ensuring the doctor's commitment to evidence-based medicine practices. Engage directly with clinics and use official and independent resources to confirm credentials and patient satisfaction. It's never too late to make a change if you feel your current doctor is not meeting your expectations or employing modern, evidence-based medicine practices.
- Endocrinist Olga Demicheva advises relying on intuition and common sense when selecting a physician, particularly when doctors attempt to charge for unnecessary additional tests or seem disinterested in a patient's condition.
- Ksenia Napolskaya, a candidate in biological sciences, proposes reviewing a doctor's prescriptions, focusing on keywords and avoiding prescriptions such as immune modulators, homeopathic remedies, and strange prescriptions for children.
- Olga Shestova, a physiologist and medical editor, recommends seeking a second opinion from another specialist in the same field as your primary doctor for an additional assessment of your diagnosis or proposed treatment plan.
- Alexei Paramonov, head of the Evidence-Based Medicine Center "Sunrise," cautions against relying on lists of unprovenly effective medications, commonly known as "placebos," when making medical decisions.
- When language is a concern, patients can seek doctors offering consultations in their preferred language or utilize telemedicine services specializing in Russian-speaking patients, ensuring clear communication and understanding of evidence-based care.
