💬 Discussion Topic: what is important to you?

[AnnaHU]

Sometimes, our health leads us to seek out specialist physicians.

What is important to you when seeking healthcare from a specialist physician?

Thanks in advance for your responses - they are so appreciated.

Anna

[BlessedLady]

A doctor with experience. I make sure my doctors have been in practice for at least 20 years. I also look for a doctor that explains in detail and listens.

[AnnaHU HealthUnlocked in reply to BlessedLady]

Thank you for sharing, BlessedLady

[SarahG76]

Doctors who listen, have empathy explain and have expertise in their field.

Those who use clinical judgement and not just blood tests to draw conclusions.

Those who look for a cause, rather than just treating symptoms.

Those who treat you as an individual with lived experience, rather than being condescending and using a blanket approach.

[Eppy]

A doctor who listens and cares enough that if he/she doesn’t know the answers Is professional enough to say and work towards finding the answers to problem solving

[AnnaHU HealthUnlocked in reply to Eppy]

Great, thanks for responding!

[stiff19 in reply to Eppy]

ditto that 🙏

[Hidden]

A doctor who understands how I feel

[AnnaHU HealthUnlocked in reply to Hidden]

Yes, I agree...such an important factor.

[Hidden in reply to AnnaHU]

They could be better but we should not complain as they could also be worse too

[Teaching]

The most important thing to me is being kind and giving listening ear to me.

[AnnaHU HealthUnlocked in reply to Teaching]

Do you feel that your current healthcare professionals do this for you?

[Teaching in reply to AnnaHU]

The answer is No for my pcp . She's always in a hurry and thinks medication is the only answer to it. I love my therapist because she understands and supports my decisions.

[Siereneige]

Someone who LISTENS and asks QUESTIONS before they say anything. Someone who is empathic.

Someone who takes time to EXPLAIN what's happening and what we will be doing.

Someone who gives examples and options.

[AnnaHU HealthUnlocked in reply to Siereneige]

Thank you for responding Siereneige!

[Bassetmommer]

I want a doctor to acknowledge me, listen to me, understand that I am not like everyone else and treat me like an educated individual.

[faucet]

A Doctor who takes the time to listen to YOU. Is empathetic, open to new and alternative treatments.

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

When Public won't get me CONTROLLED with AF and struggling with Quality of life, I will write to hospital... But answer was not helpful - every stroke person gets Beta Loc - not good enough when I said no Beta-Loc as it will make me breathless.

Locum suggested go private and referred me to a Private Heart Specialist who also works at the hospital. Best move ever.

cheri JOY. (NZ)

[Cheesekayc]

A physician who is kind and ready to listen to all my my complaints

[katieoxo60]

A Doctor who is conversant within their speciality or who is supervised by someone who is. I am very wary of medical staff who blame everthing on emotions especially in the case of ladies. Its the doctors job to ask questions to try and establish a diagnosis along with any test to illiminate other health issues.

[Lottyplum]

That they listen. So tired of doctors who do not listen and cut you short in your explanation. If you have had a long term condition (that you’ve had for a very long time), have done your research and have considered other specialists knowledge in the field, why do doctors dismiss your questions or arguments? Surely I know my body better than anyone?

[AnnaHU HealthUnlocked in reply to Lottyplum]

Have you found someone that listens to you?

[Lottyplum in reply to AnnaHU]

Unfortunately not! Not in the GP surgery and not at the hospital.

[kirstyo]

Here in the UK we don't get a choice who we see unless we go private and pay. All I want is to be listened to and not just thought of as exaggerating things or whatever. All i want is people to see past the fact that I'm young (as far as osteoarthritis patients go) and fat. Took me 8 years and eventually going private to even get a scan because I was so young but I'm glad I did that as I get taken somewhat seriously now by Drs.

My haematologist is lovely, admits they can't work out what's wrong but is not giving up just because they can't find answers. Is desperately trying to find a cause for my hand pain even though thats not his specialty and always listens to me. The rheumatologist I paid to see couldn't have been more dismissive because my fingers weren't swollen on that particular day, barely even let me discuss what had been happening or my history.

[AnnaHU HealthUnlocked in reply to kirstyo]

I am glad to hear that you have found a supportive haematologist that won't give up on you!

[Adlon57]

Actually trying to find the right specialist, if one even exists, the present phone by system in Northern Ireland is an absolute disaster, I had a GP who for four years could not find a benign tumour on my left elbow, changed GP and jackpot. My medical history, everyone would admit is "very colourful". My present GP is near retired, looking to go in slowly and quietly, he always went behind the scenes, suddenly an medical appointment letter appears on the doorstep, a wee smile, has his name on it, going to? [sometimes something very obscure] but I always know he is behind it, somewhere. Sign of a good caring Doctor, and a good friend!

I want [need] specialists in Claustrophobia and Orthotics in Northern Ireland, presently, forget it!

[stravinsky1]

A GP that you can have a face to face appointment with. I find one of the GPs is excellent in that he gives you time to explain what is happening to you and then always makes the referrals that he says he will. I do go prepared with my list of what I have found out as well as my symptoms. Most of the appointments now are telephone ones which I have found to be helpful most of the time.Specialist wise, once you eventually get to see one the above applies but one that is not condescending is what's needed.

Due to the long waiting lists I have gone privately for a couple of issues but cannot continue with this.

My local NHS have started to refer some patients to private hospitals for certain procedures to try and get the waits down. More of this is needed

[lowtech]

Peer agreement. Second opinion.

[DandyButch]

Accurate speedy diagnosis followed by accurate speedy treatment thereby being well enough to live a productive life. The NHS, in certain areas, is withholding or lacking in expertise.

Within the NHS, there is no choice, because they all follow the same 'rules' as defined by NICE, some of which limit the recovery of the patient, and due to being inadequately treated, bring on multiple other conditions. This is not saving money.

Going private is only possible if you have private healthcare or have money. Not a choice for me, sadly.

[R2522]

The most important thing is that the consultant you attend sees you as unique with unique needs so thus its never 'one size fit all' It's also vital that specialist remains offay with the very latest developments/research & passes that information onto the patient.

[CouchTater]

A doctor who is a little inquisitive, who will ask me about other things such as sleep or diet before prescribing something. It may jolt me into the realisation that perhaps there's something more I could do for myself and not just rely on pills. Also, a doctor who may suggest something different outside of the tick box situation. It would make me feel more valued and cared for all round.

[Bernaldi]

It's important to me to see someone who does not have the usual allopathic view of "this drug for that symptom" and has a much more wholistic point of view. I'm in the US, in my state naturopathic physicians can order lab tests and prescribe, and most of the time I pay out of pocket to see a good NMD because their viewpoint is so much broader than most MDs or DOs, who are limited by their licensing. For example, I was severely ill this past spring, and I got relief from my NMD via a vitamin C IV, which I could not have gotten from an MD or DO. It cured me, and I wasn't put through multiple specialist visits, long waits, and a myriad of blood tests and then being offered a antibiotic, which I wouldn't have accepted anyway.

I also do not want to have to pay doctors for me to educate them on my condition, which I have had the time to do exhaustive research about before I even go to a doctor. I generally already know what is wrong with me, (Examples: CIRS and FQAD,) and my reason for seeing a doctor is if I do not have access to what is needed to treat it. It is highly disappointing when this happens over and over again.