| Where Can I Find a Family Doctor? Just as fast food has replaced many full service restaurants, fast medicine is beginning to replace many traditional family doctors. Increasingly, medical care is found at urgent care centers, nurse staffed retail clinics and hospital emergency rooms. The doctor, when available, is often moonlighting from a local residency or a traveling doctor that may not be around for follow up appointments. The fast part is getting checked in. The missing part is continuity of care in a relationship where a doctor has time to investigate underlying issues. The very slow part of fast medicine is returning time after time for the same medical history questionnaire, the same superficial diagnosis and the same superficial treatment. There was a time when your family doctor knew you, cared, listened, and didn’t rush. And, there was a time when calling your doctor was as easy as calling your home. It's time for a return to slow medicine with a doctor that: Knows you, Is available when you need help – usually with same day appointments, Can be your advocate in a complex healthcare system, Reserves time for listening, making medical decisions and teaching, Doesn’t pass you off to lower level staff, Oversees your care when hospitalized, and Coordinates with specialist Slow medicine is about getting an appointment when you need your doctor and your doctor having time to listen, make good medical decisions and explain what’s needed. Having better access means you’ll not be left waiting in the lobby, exam room or for an appointment when you are sick. With 24/7 access, you get answers when you need them. Having focus means listening, getting to know your concerns, and customizing plans to meet your needs. Often this includes a robust annual physical exam. Next follows a plan that can help you prevent illnesses. No rushing means expecting all of your concerns to be discussed. Increasingly, primary doctors are over scheduled and lack time to do the sophisticated medical management needed for best outcomes. As treatments like diabetic management and arthritic management increasingly become the domain of mid level practitioners, patients find themselves sent to specialist that lack skills for dealing with multiple chronic conditions. Lacking a physician that can be counted on to quarterback the situation can result in being treated like a hot potato passed between specialists. For many over age 65, having three or more chronic issues is not unusual. Unfortunately, this is not where urgent care and emergency room services are at the top of their game. Often complex issues are referred to multiple specialists that have little time to coordinate care. Spreading care over multiple specialists without adequate coordination can be both costly and risky. While your doctor can’t stop time, many factors affecting quality of life and the aging process are within our control. Following a sensible wellness plan is the starting place. Having a health mentor is an important part of what turns plans into success. Getting quality medical service will increasingly require selecting a doctor that offers a more personalized service. For a fee, seniors can contract with a personal care/concierge doctor that offers prompt access, adequate time for appointments, options for calling them directly, time to make good medical decisions, and advocacy when seeking care beyond the primary care doctor’s office. In Huntsville, Alabama, many view the opportunity to obtain personal care as a positive since it provides their doctor time to listen, make the best medical decisions and teach them what they need to know rather than 5-7 minute appointments where healthcare needs get kicked down the road. By providing adequate appointment time and care, this new type of personal care doctor helps keep their patients maintain the best quality of life, stay out of the hospital and avoid unnecessary procedures. Tell Me More about Concierge Physicians in Huntsville, Alabama. Exit |