| The field of medicine today is exceptionally | | | | will also want to know whether the doctor |
| complex. The rate at which new discoveries and | | | | maintains more than one office, and how often he |
| new treatments are being published is | | | | or she sees patients in the office most |
| overwhelming, even for physicians. As a result, | | | | convenient to you. If your medical condition is one |
| physicians are specializing in ever more narrow | | | | that will require you to see several specialists, are |
| medical niches. This means that almost everyone | | | | all of the specialists located in the same area? You |
| will need to consult with a medical specialist at | | | | may want to know if the doctor participates in |
| least once in a lifetime. | | | | clinical trials. And, of course, you will want to know |
| If you find yourself or a loved one in the hospital | | | | whether the doctor participates in your particular |
| and in need of a specialist, you will have to accept | | | | medical insurance plan. |
| the doctor on duty. On the other hand, if you | | | | You can find much of this information from |
| have a long-term or non-emergency medical | | | | consulting the medicare.gov website (click on "Find |
| problem you will have time to make a selection. If | | | | a Physician") or from the American Medical |
| you have the time to search for the best | | | | Association website ( You will have to call each |
| specialist for your needs it is very important to | | | | physician's office for the answers to some of |
| choose one that you are comfortable with, and | | | | your questions. Calling the doctor's office with |
| who will remain available for many years, if need | | | | some of these questions before you make an |
| be. | | | | appointment will give you an idea of how well he |
| Most people begin with a referral from their | | | | and his office staff communicate with prospective |
| primary care physician. Indeed, many managed | | | | patients. |
| care insurers require that patients obtain specialist | | | | Once you have decided which specialist you would |
| referrals from their PCP. This is a good place to | | | | like to consult, make your appointment as soon |
| start, but you are not limited to accepting the | | | | as you can. There is often a long wait to get an |
| name of one physician from your PCP. It is smart | | | | appointment with a medical specialist. If you need |
| to do a little additional research. | | | | a written referral, and the doctor you have |
| Call the closest medical school and ask for the | | | | selected is not the one originally suggested by |
| names of two or three physicians who specialize | | | | your primary care physician, be sure you get a |
| in your condition and who are actively treating | | | | new referral. Your PCP should not have any |
| patients. Some medical school physicians are | | | | objection if you have done your groundwork. |
| involved in research and teaching, but they do not | | | | It is important to keep in mind that you may |
| maintain a private practice. | | | | need or want to see a second specialist for a |
| Also contact the closest local office of a related | | | | second opinion if you have any questions or |
| support group or "condition" organization such as | | | | concerns about the treatment the first doctor |
| the American Diabetes Association, the | | | | recommends. Except for emergency care, many |
| Parkinson's Disease Association, or the National | | | | health insurers require a second opinion before |
| Kidney Foundation. Ask for the names of | | | | they will agree to cover certain treatments. |
| specialists they consult with. | | | | Medicare will cover most second opinion |
| Once you have collected a few likely names it's | | | | consultations. If your health insurance requires a |
| time to do a little additional research. You will want | | | | second opinion it should be covered. Be certain to |
| to identify which hospital each doctor visits. You | | | | verify your coverage before you visit. |