Doctorate Programs Offer the Highest Level of Education

If you are a serious student who wants to achieve the pinnacle of education in your particular chosen field, the doctorate program can help you achieve your goals. The doctorate degree is often referred to as a "terminal degree" as it is the highest level of education available for most fields of study. Those who possess a doctorate degree are considered experts in their chosen field, and respected as equals by their peers.

There are different kinds of doctorate degrees. The research doctorate (Ph.D.) is the most common and is awarded in recognition of academic research and contribution to human knowledge. Professional doctorates are awarded in professions of law, medicine, music, and ministry, to name a few.

Honorary doctorates are awarded by institutions in honor of noteworthy contributions to fields other than academic. Honorary degrees are often conferred on celebrities. So as not to confuse the Honorary Doctorate with academic degrees, it has become common to use Hon.D. to indicate that the degree is purely honorary.

A doctorate is the highest level of academic degree possible, the most common being the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Doctorate programs require candidates to spend anywhere from four to six years in graduate school, subsequent to the master degree. PhD degree programs build extensive knowledge in the chosen field of study. The doctorate program produces new original research that holds meaning in the field, and prepares candidates for teaching at the college and university level.

Doctorate programs are possible in many subjects as well as combinations of subjects that some students may choose for developing skills and expertise in various fields, such as business (management and information technology), engineering, sciences (chemistry and biology), education, and other academic areas. In a nutshell, doctorate programs begin with gaining broad knowledge in the field and teaching basic undergraduate courses before focusing on developing a research project, writing a thesis, taking comprehensive exams, and defending the publication-quality thesis before a peer group of faculty who will judge the candidate's qualifications and readiness.

Those interested in doctorate programs or doctoral degrees must be prepared to spend many years of intensive study, and must be eager to advance theoretical and practical knowledge and leadership skills. The satisfaction and many rewards and accolades that await the doctorate degree holder are immeasurable, making it well worth the necessary sacrifices and effort.

If you would like to learn more about Doctorate Programs [http://schoolsgalore.com/categories/2/doctorate_programs_schools.html] and Online Doctorate Programs, you can find more in-depth information and resources on our website.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com.

Copyright 2006 - All rights reserved by SchoolsGalore.com, in association with Media Positive Communications, Inc.

Notice: Publishers are free to use this article on an ezine or website, provided the article is reprinted in its entirety, including copyright and disclaimer, and ALL links remain intact and active.

Michael Bustamante is a staff writer for Media Positive Communications, Inc. in association with SchoolsGalore.com. Visit our Traditional School Directory and find Colleges, Universities, Vocational Schools, and Online Schools at SchoolsGalore.com, your educational resource to locate schools.

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Doctor Stop Losing Money - 6 Ways To Stop The Bleeding

Are you one of those doctors who thinks that if you want more money you need to see more patients? The reality is that you just need to get paid for ALL of the patients that you are already seeing.

Many doctors make the mistake of only watching what comes in and not what is going out. They look at the bottom line, and if the bottom line is not high enough, then they figure they need to see more patients. What they really need to look at is how much of what is going out is coming back in. It isn't possible to collect 100% of what you bill out, but you should be collecting 95% or better. (I'm not talking about contractual adjustments. I'm talking about the amounts that you are legally entitled to collect.)

The following are some of the most common ways that doctor's offices lose money and what you can do to stop it from happening in your office:

1. According to a local insurance company, the number one way that doctors lose money is by not collecting copays, co-insurance, and/or deductibles. These are the amounts that are due directly from the patients.

If you do not have a good system in place for billing your patients, then you are probably losing more money than you realize.

First of all, copays SHOULD BE collected at the time of service. If a patient cannot pay the copay at the time of service, (or they forget their checkbook, etc.) then your staff should give them a pre-addressed envelope when they leave so that they can mail it in when they get home.

If you don't receive the copay within 10 days, the patient should be billed.

Co-insurance and deductibles usually cannot be billed until the EOB is received from the insurance company since the amount varies. As soon as the EOB is received a bill should be sent out to the patient with an explanation as to what the bill is for.

Bottom line, patients with balances need to be billed regularly. If they do not respond to the bills, appropriate action needs to be taken.

2. The number two way in which doctors lose money is due to non-covered services. The services may be non-covered because they are a contract exclusion, or they may be non-covered due to the way that they were billed. In any case, if the insurance doesn't pay, many times the doctor ends up writing off the charges.

One way to cut down on denials for non-covered services is to make sure that you have experienced people in charge of your billing. If you have an experienced biller it will cut down on incorrect denials due to billing errors.

If it is a true contract exclusion then the patient should be notified prior to the services being performed so that they can arrange for payment. The biller should know before the services are submitted that the insurance company does not cover them.

3. The third top reason for doctors losing money is due to sloppy bookkeeping. Yet another reason to make sure you have not only experienced but loyal people in charge of your billing. It is amazing how much money doctors lose due to the negligence and inexperience of the people that they put in charge of their money.

There are many ways that sloppy bookkeeping can cause money loss. One is from claims just not being submitted. The doctor does the work of seeing the patient, but never gets paid because his staff doesn't submit the claim. Many doctors think that this can't happen to them but in reality they just would never know if it did.

Another example of sloppy bookkeeping is incorrect patient information on file. If you don't have the correct personal information or insurance information, the patient's claim can be denied. In many offices denials are not handled so if the claim isn't paid the first time around, the doctor loses out.

4. The fourth reason is due to lack of proper follow up. The sad truth is most doctor's offices do very little, if any, follow up. All unpaid claims should be followed up on at least every 30 days. Just submitting the claims to the insurance companies is not enough. For whatever reason, a certain percentage of claims will go unpaid unless they are followed up on. Many times claims are denied for improper reasons and a phone call needs to be made to get the issue resolved. If these calls are not made, the doctor does not get paid for their service. Proper and thorough follow up is a necessity.

5. The fifth reason for doctors losing money is employee theft. Doctors never want to believe that someone on their staff would ever steal from them, but unfortunately it happens in the majority of doctors offices. It is great if you feel that you can trust everyone in your office, but it is even better if you have systems in place that make theft nearly impossible in the first place. Make everyone accountable for any money that passes thru their hands.

6. The sixth top reason for doctors losing money is due to under-coding, and/or coding errors. It is important to have someone who understands all of the ins and outs of coding. Doctors have to be careful when submitting claims to insurance companies that they code everything accurately. It would not be good to submit claims with codes that do not reflect the services actually performed to the patient. But sometimes coders can be so concerned about over coding, that they actually tend to under code EVERYTHING. This can result in a huge dollar loss for the doctor.

A doctor also wants to make sure that the coder understands which diagnoses apply to which procedures were performed. Many insurance companies only cover certain procedures when certain diagnosis codes are linked to them.

So, if you are a doctor who thinks you need to be seeing more patients, you may want to consider if any of these top six reasons doctors lose money listed above may apply to your office. You may be able to raise your bottom line considerably on the patients you are already seeing.

Michele Redmond is co-owner of Solutions Medical Billing and has been in business since 1994. She has a bachelor?s degree in Computer Information Science and is responsible for the medical billing for over 50 providers. For more information on medical billing visit her website at http://www.solutions-medical-billing.com.

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Bill From Your Doctor - To Pay or Not To Pay

What do you do if you receive a bill from your doctor for services that you think should have been paid for by your insurance company? What if your doctor states that your insurance company has denied payment, so you are responsible. What if it's hundreds of dollars? What if it's for an old date of service? Do you pay the bill?

Well, maybe, but certainly not without checking into a couple of things!

The first thing you will want to do is to call your doctor's office and find out exactly what you are being billed for and why. Sometimes the bill will indicate exactly what services the bill is for, but it doesn't hurt to make sure. If you have insurance that you feel should have paid for the services, ask the doctor's office why they didn't pay. They may have not billed your insurance correctly. Verify the insurance company and the id #'s that they used. Also, verify that the service they billed for was the actual service you received. For example, did they bill for a routine check up when you were actually there for a medical reason? Some insurances don't pay for routine check ups. Many times a call to the doctor's office will clear up the matter. Based on information from your phone call, the doctor's office will be able to go back and rebill your insurance for payment.

If your phone call to the doctor's office did not clear up the matter, but you still feel that your insurance should have covered the charges, call your insurance company. The phone number is usually on the back of your id card. Ask them to explain to you why the charges were denied. If the charges were denied, and the customer service representative tells you that the denial is correct, ask them if you are responsible for the charges. In some cases doctors are contracted with insurance companies and they cannot always bill the patient for charges that are not covered. Do not assume that the person doing the doctor's billing knows if they can or cannot bill you. Many offices have people in charge of the billing that do not understand all of the insurance guidelines.

An example of a situation where the doctor can not bill you for the services is if the charges were denied for timely filing. Some insurance companies require that a doctor submit the insurance claim to them within a specific time period, for example, within 90 days of the date of service. It is in the contract that the doctor signs, and it states that if the doctor does not submit the claim in that time period, the claim will be denied and the doctor CAN NOT bill the patient. I have seen many cases where the doctor's office attempts to collect the money from the patient. However it is not the patient's fault that the doctor's staff did not submit the claim on time. The patient goes to the provider knowing that the provider accepts their insurance and expecting the doctor to be paid by the insurance company.

Many times the services can be reprocessed by the insurance company simply based on information that they receive from you during your phone call. Sometimes services are simply denied due to human error on the part of the insurance company. Or since so many things are automated, the denial may be due to a computer glitch. In any case, it is well worth the phone call to determine if the charges can be paid.

There are obviously many other reasons that the services may have been denied by the insurance company. I can't possibly cover them all in one article. In some cases the services are denied simply because the particular service is not covered under your plan. If it turns out that the claim was denied correctly, and you are responsible for paying your doctor, you should try to make arrangements with the office regarding your payment.

If the amount due is larger than you can pay at one time, ask if it is ok to make payments. Also, it is ok to ask if they will discount the bill, since it is not covered by your insurance. They may not, but you won't know if you don't ask.

Don't just pay a bill because you receive it. Unless you know for sure that you are responsible for the amount you are being billed, you should always check into it.

Michele Redmond is co-owner of Solutions Medical Billing and has been in business since 1994. She has a bachelor?s degree in Computer Information Science and is responsible for the medical billing for over 50 providers. For more information on medical billing visit her website at http://www.solutions-medical-billing.com

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Medical Malpractice - How to Become a Black Belt When Questioning a Doctor

Learn how to be a black belt attorney when questioning a doctor at their deposition.

1. Never give advance warning of what you intend to ask.

A black belt is confident of their abilities. They don't need to show off. They don't need to put on a show. They certainly don't need to impress the doctor with their legal prowess. When questioning a doctor at a deposition, I always advocate asking the key questions in the case AT THE VERY BEGINNING of the questioning.

Most physicians are not anticipating that the key issues will be discussed at the beginning. Most defense attorneys will prepare their doctor-client for the typical credentials checklist..."Where did you go to medical school, where did you do your residency, are you board certified, etc." By going directly to the heart of the case early on in the deposition, you might stand a slight advantage and get an unexpected answer you would not have obtained had you started with the standard questions.

2. Question the doctor as if you are cross-examining him at trial.

I advocate using leading questions at a deposition. Why not? It's good practice for trial, and it doesn't give the doctor much wiggle room when answering a question. Obviously there are times when I need a descriptive answer, and have no problem asking the "Why?" question during a doctor's deposition. There are also times when I want a doctor to talk at length about why he rendered a particular treatment, or what was the standard of care for treating a particular condition.

In New York, lawyers are no longer permitted to obstruct depositions by continually objecting to questions. Virtually every question asked must be answered, even though the defense attorney raises an objection. The only time a question does not have to be answered is when it is "palpably improper" or addresses something that is inherently privileged material..."What did you talk to your lawyer about before the deposition?"

3. Be respectful.

A black belt is always respectful to an adversary and to their colleagues. This is not a sign of weakness. Just the opposite. It is a sign of strength. Being hostile and argumentative with a doctor at their deposition, in my opinion, is not productive. If you are attempting to 'push the doctor's buttons' by being hostile, your intention may be worthy, but the method you are using is self-defeating, and not appropriate.

Everyone in the conference room knows what role they play. The doctor looks at you as the 'bad guy'. The defense attorney looks at you as an adversary. You look at the doctor as the culprit who caused your clients' horrific injuries. I advocate putting all this aside. Be respectful, and give the doctor the respect he deserves. Then, with your exacting questions, tear him apart step by step- and do it with a smile on your face.

"Please define erbs palsy. Please describe how a baby can get erbs palsy. Is there any other way to get erbs palsy except by putting excessive lateral traction on the baby's head? Would you agree that putting excessive lateral traction on the baby's head would be a departure from good medical care?"

Remember, each question is a building block for the next one. Build up your case with carefully crafted questions that establish the standard of care, then show through the doctor's own records, that those standards were not followed.

4. Understand your limitations

A good medical malpractice lawyer knows what he knows and also knows what he does not know. (Some call this Murphy's law). The doctor has spent years studying medicine. Expect that they will have a greater breadth of the key issues in the case than you. Accordingly, you must prepare extensively. Get out those medical textbooks. Search those medical journals. Re-review the hospital records. Call your medical expert and discuss the case. Have your expert teach you the medicine.

By the time you are ready to question the defendant doctor in your case, you should have an excellent understanding of the medicine and be able to discuss the medical issues with ease. If you can't, you should spend more time studying. You have to become an expert on this limited area of medicine involved in your case. That is the only way you can properly and adequately take the doctor, head on, in a battle of questions and answers.

5. Do not expect the defendant doctor to scream "OK, I give up!" during the deposition

Unlike sparring in the ring (known as kumite), the doctor will often be defensive and at times may verbally attack either you or your knowledge of the medicine. When sparring in martial arts, a black belt looks to score points by hitting key vital areas of the body. An attorney who seeks to be a figurative black belt at questioning a doctor also seeks to hit key issues in the case- and looks to score those vital points as well.

However, I advocate that when you get a key answer that is favorable to you, simply move on to another question. Do not thrust your hand in the air and yell, "Yes!" Do not smile that 'all-knowing' smile like you're better than everyone else in the room. Do not throw that figurative football in a hoop-roaring dance in the end zone. Instead, just move on to the next question and go after the next issue in your case.

CONCLUSION

Following these ideas will lead you on your quest to become a 'black belt' when questioning a doctor at their deposition.

Gerry Oginski is an experienced New York medical malpractice and personal injury trial attorney and practices exclusively in the State of New York. He has tirelessly represented injured victims in all types of medical malpractice and injury cases in the last 19 years. As a solo practitioner he is able to devote 100% of his time to each individual client. A client is never a file number in his office.

Take a look at Gerry's website http://www.oginski-law.com and read his free special reports on malpractice and accident law. Read actual testimony of real doctors in medical malpractice cases. Learn answers to your legal questions. We have over 200 FAQs to the most interesting legal questions. Read about his success stories. Read the latest injury and malpractice news. I guarantee there's something for you. http://www.oginski-law.com 516-487-8207

Also, take a look at Gerry's FREE NY Medical Malpractice video tutorials at http://medicalmalpracticetutorial.blogspot.com

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4 Reasons to Change Doctors

The doctor-patient relationship is crucial to your health. We all want great relationships and the doctor-patient relationship should be no different. In fact, it is so important to us, we change doctors more frequently than any of the previous generations. It is important to take your health seriously. If you don't, how can you expect the doctor to do so?

Disorganized

If your doctor is disorganized or has a poor memory, it should be a red flag. Even if you only see them once a year, they should still be friendly and courteous. If the doctor doesn't look at your file quickly for previous visits, remind them of any allergies or previous visits. If the doctor asks the same question twice in one visit, it may be a red flag that a doctor with a better short-term memory is needed.

Listening skills

Does your doctor seem to have a hearing problem? Have you found yourself at the doctor's office for the same symptoms more than once? If your doctor doesn't seem to listen to you, there is a real issue. So much of why we need to see a doctor is based on listening to our symptoms. If the doctor is not listening, how can you get an accurate diagnosis? All relationships are based on listening and your relationship with your doctor could mean the difference between life and death.

Rude staff

If someone in the office is continually rude to you or others. Once, can be overlooked --we all have a bad day now and then. Continuous rudeness is in effect, disrespect. Stand up for yourself or let the doctor know that you didn't appreciate how you were treated. We all have been rude to someone before and it wouldn't have hurt us a bit to be confronted with this issue at the time. Continuous rudeness is not what you need to be healthy.

Partnering

If your doctor is not your partner in your health care, they are not the right doctor for you. Talking to your doctor and having them listen is crucial to your well being. Doctor's are not inexpensive and you should have the best medical care possible. That begins with choosing the right doctor for you.

It is tough to find doctors that are "good" for you. Two-way communication is so important to you, your health and your doctor. Traveling more than a few miles is well worth the time and effort when you can cherish and trust the doctor-patient relationship.

F.C. Boyd is a freelance writer with a passion for disseminating information about health, nutrition, anti-aging, and exercise.

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The 7 Most Dangerous Mistakes You Can Make When You See a Doctor for Arthritis!

1. Seeing a doctor who's not board-certified or a doctor who isn't really an arthritis specialist. A lot of doctors will tell you they're "board-eligible." That's nonsense! What "board-eligible" means is that they did the training for the specialty but either haven't taken or- heaven forbid- failed the examination for board-certification. Don't trust your health to one of those doctors. And worse yet, some specialists don't pass on the first attempt. They keep taking the board exam over and over in the hopes they'll finally pass. Ask the doctor how many times it took them. Would you rather see somebody who passed the first time or some idiot who took three and four times to pass?

Are they American trained? While some specialists have completed a residency or fellowship in the U.S., they've gotten their medical degree elsewhere. The medical schools overseas do not compare to the medical schools in the United States.

How long have they been practicing? It takes a good ten years or longer of real world experience to really be able to take good care of patients.

And are they specialists in the field of arthritis (rheumatology)? Orthopedic surgeons claim to be able to take care of arthritis. But they're not rheumatologists. They haven't received formal training in the medications used to treat arthritis. They don't know about the newest developments in the field of arthritis. They don't know about the side effects and about proper monitoring techniques for medications. They're trained to cut and to operate. Why should they want to stop arthritis from destroying your joints? Since they are surgeons, they can always do surgery and replace your joints. Having an orthopedic surgeon take care of your arthritis is like putting the fox in charge of the chicken coop.

2. Waiting too long to be seen. Arthritis causes the most damage in the first six months. That's a fact from the Arthritis Foundation. It you have to wait a couple of months just to see a doctor... guess what... the cat is out of the bag. Damage has already been done. You can't afford to wait. And if you're thinking, "Well, this doctor participates in my insurance..." Is that really a good reason to risk crippling and loss of independence? Participating in managed care is bad for your health. Insurance companies, not the doctor, dictate what kind of care you receive. Think about it...do you really think insurance company executives stay up at night worrying about your arthritis? Is that really good for you?

3. Rude staff and doctor. If you can't get along with the staff and doctor, do you think your arthritis is going to take top priority? No way!!! Look for a practice where they treat you the way you want to be treated. Like a real human being.

4. Doctor rushes. Hey... you're paying good money. Make sure the doctor knows what you're there for and what is worrying you. Are your calls returned? Do they schedule timely follow-up visits? Are they interested in you as a whole person ... or are you just a number... a body part. Are they open-minded about alternative treatments? Do you feel comfortable discussing them?

5. They don't care if you're educated or not. You have to know about your disease and the medicines you're being treated with. You've got to know about the side-effects and what type of follow-up is needed. These are your rights! And do these doctors know their P's and Q's? Have they done clinical research? What kind of reputation do they have in their field? Are they recognized as a leader in the field of arthritis? Do you want to see a leader or a follower?

And that goes double for proper follow through. If the doctor and his staff drop the ball, you could be in for a bad time. Not only is the disease going to cause problems but the medicines need to be monitored carefully. You've got to be seen on a regular basis!!! And what if the doctor is a medication freak? He or she gives you a medicine and that's the end of it. And you go back and you get another medicine... and then another without any explanation. You deserve better.

6. Your doctor doesn't refer. If you're seeing a primary care doctor for your arthritis and you're not getting any better and he'/she doesn't refer, you're making a big mistake. Remember... the damage is done in the first six months of disease. It's important to be seen by a specialist as early as possible! The amount of medical information a doctor has to know has increased 20 times since 1950. Can you really expect a family doctor or internist to know about the latest developments on arthritis? Remember...arthritis causes most of its damage in the first six months. You've got to get the right treatment early!!!!!

7. Not getting a diagnosis. This is key. You need to know what you have and what can be done. There are always many treatment options available!

Dr. Wei (pronounced ?way?) is a board-certified rheumatologist and Clinical Director of the nationally respected Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of Maryland. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and has served as a consultant to the Arthritis Branch of the National Institutes of Health. He is a Fellow of the American College of Rheumatology and the American College of Physicians. For more information on arthritis and related conditions, go to: Arthritis Treatment

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Family Doctors - Tips for Finding a New Doctor

Family doctors still exist. There are many still offering similar services to their predecessors although home visits are no longer possible except in emergency cases. Although more people are seeking care from doctors specializing in different areas of medicine, family doctors are still an integral part of the health care system. In fact, many insurance companies require that you be registered with a family doctor to be referred out to a specialist. However, these family physicians are also limited in the treatment of various injuries.

A family doctor is one who ensures your overall health. Unlike doctors who specialize in the treatment of a certain organ, disease or system, family doctors receive specialized training that enables them to treat your whole body. They take care of patients of different ages and suffering from various conditions. Their form of treatment involves physical as well as psychological treatment. These doctors forge relationships with their clients and assist them in making the right decisions for their health care.

Training to become a family doctor requires practical training for 3 years in a real practice, treating patients. This may be in a hospital, health care center, medical clinic, or a home. Although these doctors are not specialized in any particular area of medicine, they must keep up with the latest developments in general medical practice. For this reason, family doctors must undergo re-certification more often than any other type of doctor. This ensures that they continue to re-educate themselves and are up to date at all times.

Although you may not have any health problems, it is important that you register with a family doctor. This is not only to meet the requirements of your insurance provider but also as a precaution. Family doctors are trained in both primary and preventative care. They are therefore well placed to advise you on prevention of health problems which is a much better option compared to overcoming health problems. This type of care will also help you save money in the long run as you will remain healthy and tackle health problems before they become serious.

Finding a doctor can be a challenging task. The best place to begin your search is with your friends and family. They may be able to refer you to doctors that are currently accepting new patients. Before you register with a family doctor, there is basic information you need to find out from them. This includes their working hours, the number of doctors in the practice, the system of payment expected, the referral of specialists, and if the practice can treat for your specific ailment or injury.

All patients should recognize that not all family practice physicians can treat for every type of injury. The vast majority don't treat injuries that occur at work, in a car accident, or personal injury such as a slip and fall. For workman's comp, most states require that the physician be certified on the Approved Doctors List to treat for on the job accidents. Subsequently, with the tedious pre-authorizations and extra paperwork required for worker's comp medical reimbursement, the medical clinics don't have the adequate staff for the extra workload. In reference to auto accidents and personal injury situations, the majority of family practice physicians refuse to provide medical care until an attorney is retained by the patient to guarantee payment to the treating doctor for medical care. Even then most physicians never recoup anywhere close to their out of pocket cost of treatment.

A good doctor should be able to answer all your questions with ease. He or she should be able to make you comfortable and explain specific recovery methods in a way that you will understand. Good family doctors take the time to answer questions asked by their patients and are patient enough to explain the answers.

See for yourself by contacting a doctor here: Family Practice Phone Numbers.

Find more about different types of doctors at http://painandinjurydoctors.com including recovery methods for all injures and pain.

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How to Talk With Your Doctor When You Don't Understand Him/Her

What should you do when you don't understand your doctor?

When your doctor says things you don't understand, ask him/her to stop and rephrase what s/he is saying.

One reason for malpractice suits is lack of proper follow-up care when the patient and his/her family do not fully understand the doctor's instructions.

When something goes wrong, both the patient and the doctor suffer. Then, as often seems to be the case, lawyers step in to take advantage of an already awful situation. No wonder we've moved away from improved medical care to one weighed under expensive lawsuits with doctors covering their assests.

When your doctor appears to be running short on patience, explain how serious you are about your recovery

"Doctor, I feel you're in a hurry, but I want to be sure I recover fully. Is there additional information beyond--list key points - I should know that we may not have covered?"

Since most patients won't take this step, your doctor will likely pause to reconsider. Keep in mind, this is meant as a sincere comment from a patient vested in his/her own health care. (Doctors know that despite their efforts, some of their patients have no intention of following their recommendations.)

If the doctor still seems to be running on the fumes of patience, try this approach:

"Doctor, as we already know, the costs of malpractice suits threaten quality medical care. You and I are partners in my care and I need to be sure we have the same vision of your recommendations. We want a successful outcome of your treatment, right? [Pause here to allow doctor to digest.] Now, could you please explain why it is critical that I need to (doctor's prescribed treatment)?"

Again, similar comments delicately phrased may encourage your doctor to communicate more clearly to prevent a mishap. If your doctor is still in a hurry, there may be a good reason. You may either leave and reschedule or if you also have an urgent need and the doctor has spent only a few minutes with you, ask what s/he suggests you do so you can receive the care you urgently need.

Keep the dialog open with questions.

How can we avoid misunderstandings?

Ask questions.

Keep asking questions and paraphrasing, repeating, and even writing down what the doctor says until you're sure you understand.

Ask the doctor to listen to your words of understanding or to read your notes.

This adds another safety net under your care plan; thus, reducing any risk of an unintended outcome. Doctors are busy. You see them whip in and out of appointments. Stand your ground and be sure you understand fully what the doctor is recommending. your LIFE depends on it. A personal example will illustrate why this is so important:

After outpatient surgery, the doctor explained my care plan. I asked questions and he seemed rushed. He wanted to leave. Feeling pressured, I stopped asking and instead followed his post-surgical care plan to the letter.

Three days later, the wound healed closed from the outside. I didn't realize then that this was bad. I began running a fever and then went into shock.

I was rushed to the medical center, given IV and oral antibiotics to stem the rapidly spreading infection.

The doctor neglected to explain that the wound must drain as it heals closed from the inside.

I had to return to surgery. This time, I insisted that my husband accompany me into the surgical room. Surprisingly, the doctor agreed. The doctor re-opened the wound and cleaned it out. David stood my ground until the doctor answered my questions to my satisfaction.

At one point, the doctor asked if my husband were threatening him, because David blocked the exit until all my questions were answered.

Let's hope your doctor's visit won't go to this extreme. However, I share this experience, so you know how far you may have to go. If the infection was allowed to spread further, I might have died! You only have one life; so, ask questions and make sure the doctor listens to your understanding of your follow-on medical care.

You may just save a life - yours or your loved one's.

Brenda Avadian, MA, of TheCaregiversVoice.com, is an award-winning speaker who serves as a national spokesperson for family and professional caregivers and is an internationally acclaimed author. Brenda advocates the caregiving continuum; from support groups and educational sessions, to in-home and nursing care. She conducts workshops and offers coaching sessions for both medical personnel and families on Rx for Communicating with your Patient/Doctor at http://www.thecaregiversvoice.com/speaker/rx-for-communicating/.

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Rate Doctors - Beyond the Basics

The internet has created many opportunities for the public to express themselves with semi-anonymous first-hand consumer reports about everything from restaurants to institutes of higher education. However, many people do not consider this to be a valuable tool when it comes to choosing a health care provider. Fortunately, there are a plethora of websites that feature doctor reviews, where the public can rate doctors and give first-hand accounts of their experiences with the doctor.

Many health care websites rely on information from their users to provide additional factors to doctor profiles. Although these doctor profiles include a lot of valuable basic information, such as background, training, and hospital affiliations, user-submitted information can include other details that are hard to rate. Many times, the insurance companies will provide their customers with a list of qualified doctors within their insurance network. Although these doctors may be the only choice of doctors to choose from, finding a doctor with whom you are compatible is still important. Ideally, most patients would visit each individual doctor within their health care network to decide which doctor is the best for their own needs. However, those who rate doctors online may address some of the same questions and concerns you would address by making a personal visit to the doctor and reporting back to the internet.

Most websites to rate doctors allow their users to submit anonymous doctor reviews. However, it is crucial to remain unbiased and present only the facts about the doctor and your own personal experience with them. Although these reviews are user-submitted, website administrators will check each doctor rating for inaccuracies and errors before finally allowing the post to go through on the website for other users to see. In fact, many websites will have a variety of verification requirements to ensure the integrity of the user-submitted reviews. Each patient review should include opinions about the doctor's professionalism and bedside manner. A patients' encounters with their doctor are typically limited to a few short visits, especially if the patient is in good health and only needs to see the doctor for an occasional check-up. Therefore, one bad doctor visit with a one-time patient can create a bad reputation for the doctor if the patient chooses to rate the doctor negatively. This is why it is important for patient reviews to come from long-term patients who can give a well-rounded comprehensive doctor rating.

All health care providers will provide basic information about the doctors within their network. However, there are other factors that can provide other important aspects of care, from basic primary care, to specialists. Online doctor review websites provide crucial information to the public. Although insurance companies will provide their clients with a list of doctors, they do not include patient -submitted reviews. You should feel comfortable with your doctor. Patient reviews can help you determine whether or not you are compatible with a doctor, without having to make a lot of different visits to a lot of different doctors.

Thanks to modern technology, the average internet user can now rate doctors online. To find one resource to investigate your options for healthcare locally and to see what others think of the health professionals in your area, please visit http://www.doctorreviewsonline.com/

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Doctorate Programs Vary By School

Doctorate programs are offered in universities and comprehensive colleges across the North American continent, and they may vary from school to school. Doctorate programs are intense and require extensive academic and scholastic capability and effort.

Requirements of doctorate programs for earning PhD and DBA degrees can vary by school and department within universities, but many are consistent. Candidates must fulfill, to varying extents, scholarly proficiency, distinctive accomplishments in their chosen field, and a capacity for designing and conducting independent, original research. Proficiency and accomplishment are demonstrated in coursework and inclusive assessments and examinations; research must contribute new and critical information to the field, be presented in a publishable documented format, and is defended before a committee of faculty. This set of doctorate program accomplishments is rewarded by being granting the PhD or DBA degree by the college or university. Doctorate programs that do not include all of these requirements lack the status of the research doctorates and will not provide the best opportunities for advanced positions and salaries.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), and Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree programs take about five years to complete, that is, after undergraduate and sometimes master degrees have been acquired. Secondary education that includes completing a doctorate program, can consume twelve to fourteen years of a student's life.

MD doctorate programs also vary considerably by school. Academic studies must be completed satisfactorily, followed by several years of study and preparation as interns are endured in hospital settings. Degree programs, however, vary so much that potential MD students must do some extensive research to determine the type of education that suits their particular style of learning. Some colleges rely heavily on textbook and lectures for preliminary education, while others place little credence in textbook study and rely mainly on hands-on experience with dissection of organs and tissue and discussion sessions from the outset.

Doctoral programs are offered around the United States and Canada in psychology, education, law, languages, philosophy, business, history, anthropology, physical sciences, medicine, veterinary sciences, and numerous other fields of study. Students entering into doctorate programs must be clear about their goals and abilities. Undergraduate and graduate experiences can help the student to evaluate his or her interests, aptitudes, and capacity for the rigors of the doctorate program prior to application or preparation for a particular field or occupation.

Some doctorate programs and doctoral degrees are made possible by online schools. The time that it takes to accomplish degree goals can possibly be shortened students who choose this route and concentrate their efforts on study; however, online courses at the doctorate level very often require some hands-on experience, as well as testing and evaluation which cannot be accomplished online.

If you would like to learn more about Doctorate Programs [http://schoolsgalore.com/categories/2/doctorate_programs_schools.html] and Online Doctorate Programs, you can find more in-depth information and resources on our website.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com.

Copyright 2006 - All rights reserved by SchoolsGalore.com, in association with Media Positive Communications, Inc.

Notice: Publishers are free to use this article on an ezine or website, provided the article is reprinted in its entirety, including copyright and disclaimer, and ALL links remain intact and active.

Michael Bustamante is a staff writer for Media Positive Communications, Inc. in association with SchoolsGalore.com. Visit our Traditional School Directory and find Colleges, Universities, Vocational Schools, and Online Schools at SchoolsGalore.com, your educational resource to locate schools.

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The Medical Information Age - Talking To Your Doctor About The Latest Medical Advances

These days we're living in what is being called the "information age." People are booking their own flights from home and downloading music and video from all over the world.

Well, the "information age" applies to the world of medicine too. Cutting-edge medical information, if you know how to search for it, is now only a click away as you sit in front of your computer.

But, medicine is an intimidating arena and the stakes are incredibly high. Plus, the relationship between patient and doctor has traditionally been based on a high degree of trust.

What I'm saying is that I think that it's uncomfortable for most people to aggressively question their doctors. Because of this discomfort, patients may not feel as inclined to do their own research. They fear that they might upset their doctor if they walk into the medical office with research they've done themselves.

But, in my opinion, this unprecedented access to medical information will ultimately lead to revolutionary changes in the way patients and doctors interact.

I learned first-hand a few short years ago that researching an illness on the internet can be a daunting task.

A close family friend was diagnosed with breast cancer and asked me to do some research. Even though I was an emergency physician at a university hospital, I quickly learned that using the internet to get the most current information on published studies, new treatments, and clinical trials was not as easy a task as I had thought.

Ultimately I figured out how to navigate the "medical internet jungle". I found the information I needed and learned a lot along the way.

If you plan to research cutting-edge medical information on the internet, you'll need to find your own smart way.

In the end, after gathering all the information, you'll become an informed patient.

And There Are Lots Of Benefits In Being An Informed Patient

Some of the benefits are obvious. Like making sure that your doctor is aware of all potential cutting-edge treatments and available clinical trials. You need to know that "no stone has been left unturned" in the search for your best treatment option.

Knowing that you're receiving state-of-the-art care should be an enormous comfort to you.

But there are other benefits as well.

An informed and involved patient becomes a partner in his or her health care.

Too often a lack of real understanding leads patients to stop, skip, or otherwise not fully comply with their treatment. But, an informed and involved patient is much more likely to follow through with all the aspects of a treatment regimen.

In the end, it just makes good sense to be as informed as possible.

There's A Critical Second Part Of The Process

This second part involves talking to your doctors about the cutting-edge treatment options you've discovered in your research.

This is the part of the process that I believe frightens patients the most. Let me restate here what I believe will take place in the interactions between doctors and patients.

Just as patients will get more and more used to questioning their doctors in the next few years, doctors will get more and more used to being questioned by their patients.

Patients Can Now Access The Latest Medical Information.

When Their Lives Are At Stake, They're Going To Do The Research.

In the final analysis, doctors want to help their patients. And, as patients become more and more informed, doctors and patients will become accustomed to having educated, thoughtful conversations on the medical literature and what the best treatment options might be.

This doesn't mean however that there will be never be a conflict between what the patient wants and what the doctor is recommending.

For example, there might be a new surgical procedure which is being used in the treatment of certain cancers. There may be recent published studies suggesting that the new procedure might result in fewer side effects or a quicker recovery time while having the same cure rate.

But, it's possible that this procedure is only being done by a few surgeons in your area as it's new and takes some specialized training.

You might discuss this with your doctor who admits that he or she does not perform the new procedure.

At that point, you may have to make a decision about whether or not investigating the new procedure is really worthwhile.

The most common sense approach to this dilemma would be to consult with a physician specializing in the new procedure as well.

Imagine That You're An Investigative Detective

Ask straightforward but tough questions to all your doctors including questions about their results, their experience level, side effects of any proposed treatments, and the published data.

You may want to ask if you may speak to other patients that have already undergone treatment by these doctors. If you are able to do this, ask these patients how they decided on a particular treatment or even a particular doctor. Ask them how they're doing.

Continue investigating until you feel you have all the information you need to make your decision.

Many pieces of information may come up in your research. For example, there might be certain technological advances being used in certain centers which help in the accurate staging and planning of treatment. Maybe the center that you're being treated at doesn't offer these services and your research has led you to believe that there is benefit to them.

Again, you may have to make a decision about where you want to be treated.

Or, your doctor may recommend a treatment regimen to you and not mention that there are clinical trials which may be available. Or, he or she might recommend a certain clinical trial without mentioning that there are other clinical trials taking place at other medical centers.

As you do your own research, you need to be very aware that the cutting-edge treatments may not be offered everywhere.

Frank discussions with your doctors may be unavoidable. But, it's very important for you to remember that you're dealing with a serious illness and the most important thing is that you get the best possible care.

Don't Allow Your Fear Of Creating Conflict With Your Doctor Stop You From Aggressively Pursuing The Best Possible Care.

The conversations you'll have with your doctors will ultimately become quite different. Being aware of all the options allows you, if you choose, to take more responsibility for the decisions that have to be made.

Ultimately, in today's rapidly changing universe, patients are taking on more of the responsibility for making treatment decisions.

Dr. Glenn Sheiner is a medical doctor with diplomas in Emergency Medicine, Sports Medicine, and Family Medicine. Dr. Sheiner is the author of the medical multimedia digital product called Cancer Research Online Made Easy.

Dr. Sheiner created this product to help patients research cutting-edge medical information in hours not days. The product contains 5 videos illustrating exactly what to do. To learn more go to Cancer Research Online Made Easy

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Find a Doctor

How to find a doctor?

There's no magical route to finding the right doctor. If you have a primary care physician just call him or her and make an appointment. If you don't have a primary care physician, try the route suggested above. Or, if you feel you need specialist care, you can save time and money by going directly to a specialist with your particular medical problem. In the old days most patients would ask their primary care physician for a referral. While this is still done, more and more patients are going directly to a specialist for their medical needs.

Tips on how to look for a doctor
Find out the history of medical symptoms or diseases that run in your family, or ones you or your family members may currently have.
Once you have identified the problem, let's say a history of asthma, you may want to find a primary care provider who is (double) Board Certified in "Pulmonary Disease" and "Internal Medicine."
Depending on how far you are willing to travel, and what type of doctor you are searching for, look for three hospitals near your home. Then go to Google and type in their names. Most hospitals have websites which feature a physician directory.
If you are looking for a specialist, such as a plastic surgeon, or a dermatologist, for example, use (example) your three favorite search engines and type: "Florida Dermatologist," or "Florida Miami Dermatologist." You may want to switch the wording around and try a few different methods.
Make sure your doctor is Board Certified , and that his or her respective field of specialization is listed, by consulting the American Board of Medical Specialists official directory of specialists, published by Marquis Who's Who. The ABMS directory is available at most public libraries, as well as hospital, university and medical libraries.
Next, visit the Federation of State Medical Boards (online) to see if any serious disciplinary action has been taken against the doctor you've chosen.

Where can I research my doctor?

Once you have selected a doctor, you have several options. Most patients like to run a background

check on the doctor they have chosen. The best place to do this research is the Federation of State Medical Boards.

What makes a good doctor?
Based on my extensive research over the past five years, my recommended criteria for finding a good doctor are:
The number of years since the doctor received his/her MD or DO.
Whether the doctor is Board Certified or double Board Certified in his/her respective specialty field.
In the case of a surgeon, a high volume of surgical procedures he/she has completed.
Doctors who have had one or no malpractice lawsuits, with no disciplinary action taken against them.
Doctors who are affiliated to at least one medical society related to their specialty.

Bottom line

We all know there are no guarantees when it comes to receiving the highest quality health care. We all know

there are shady doctors, and good doctors; and then there are those who are renowned for their expertise, who

rank amongst the highest in their field. It's up to you to do your homework.

Hugo Gallegos founder & president of MDNationwide Inc An expert in researching & recognizing the top medical doctors in America. Mr. Gallegos has written numerous articles throughout the Internet.

http://mdnationwide.org 877 242-8556

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Online Doctoral Programs

A recent U.S. report on the state of education, In Growing by Degrees: Online Education in the United States, 2005, revealed that thirty-eight percent of schools offered distance learning online Ph.D programs. Further, the Survey of Earned Doctorates found an increase of 3.4 percent in the doctorate degrees awarded in the U.S. as of June, 2004. Ph.D education online offers working students the opportunity to complete coursework within the parameters of their busy schedules, which may account for the substantial increase in doctorate degrees earned in the past two years.

Postgraduate degree programs are designed to give students a chance to explore a subject fully to gain the greatest levels of proficiency in that area. Online doctoral programs may be based upon a specific curriculum or research and independent study. A study done by the Penn State University Outreach Marketing and Communications with University Continuing Education found that nearly half of distance learning college enrollments are adult students that prefer the flexibility of online classes. Students save time and energy on traveling to campus and can pursue their studies at their convenience.

Online doctoral programs offer students guidance through coursework, email, online chats and virtual lectures. Students are expected to work independently and use research resources to fulfill course requirements. Some doctoral programs require students to complete a thesis, which is a detailed research paper that will be made available to other students in the field.

There are two basic types of doctoral degree programs students may pursue - professional or research. There are also honorary doctorates, which are not necessarily academic and can be awarded for notable contributions to a particular field. Online doctoral programs give students the opportunity to earn professional or research degrees.

Professional doctorate degrees, such as J.D. and M.D., are required to perform in certain specialized fields such as medicine, dentistry, law, psychology and chiropractics. Students must earn a bachelor's degree before entering into a professional doctoral degree program. Professional doctorate degrees traditionally take three years to complete and do not usually require a thesis, although some require an original research paper. Online Ph.D programs are tailored for the individual student and may be completed in less time than in a traditional classroom setting.

Research doctorate degrees are pursued by students who seek to become experts in their particular field and are the most commonly earned doctorate degree. It can take anywhere from three to ten years to complete a research doctorate degree, depending on the course of study and the length of time it takes to gather pertinent research. Online doctoral programs enable working students to progress at their own pace to complete the research necessary for the doctorate degree.

Online Ph.D programs give students the valuable opportunity to pursue postgraduate studies while maintaining their current positions and income.

SUMMARY: Online Ph.D programs give students the valuable opportunity to pursue postgraduate studies while maintaining their current positions and income. Research doctorate degrees are pursued by students who seek to become experts in their particular field and are the most commonly earned doctorate degree. Professional doctorate degrees, such as J.D. and M.D., are required to perform in certain specialized fields such as medicine, dentistry, law, psychology and chiropractics.

Rose M. is the editor of http://www.distance-learning-college-guide.com where you find answers, information and advice on distance learning colleges, accredited online degrees and online courses. See more related information on doctorate degrees online and colleges.

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It Makes Sense to Visit Doctor Ratings Websites Before Hiring Someone

How does your family doctor compare to other physicians in your community? You can find out what a doctor's rating is by visiting physician rating websites. You can also read the patient reviews on these websites. These websites will simplify your search for a new health care provider. They contain detailed doctor ratings and reviews. Gather the information you need on these websites before you choose a new doctor.

Patients are asked to complete a survey and rate their doctors on doctor ratings websites. The ratings are based on several factors such as the doctors' bedside manner, cleanliness, waiting times, ease of making an appointment, affordability, etc. Many patients are sharing their opinions online, so take advantage of it. Doctor ratings websites are invaluable when it comes to choosing a quality doctor. These websites also give people a chance to voice their opinions. The ratings are based on a 5 point system, with 1 being the worst and 5 being the best.

If you want exceptional treatment, you shouldn't pick a random name out of the phone book. Don't waste your hard earned money on an inexperienced physician. Make sure you do plenty of research online and choose a professional who is good at what he does.

After you review the doctor ratings online, check out the patient reviews. The reviews will tell you if the doctors in your area have a good rapport with their patients, if they're good listeners, and if they spend a lot of time with their patients. You will also find out if the doctors in your area have positive attitudes and how competent they are. Remember, that the easiest way to find out if a doctor is skilled, professional, and experienced, is to read the reviews online.

In addition, the physician ratings and reviews are available for any kind of doctor or specialist. So, whether you need a psychiatrist, family doctor, or cardiologist, you should be able to find dozens of reviews and ratings for the specialists in your area.

Physician rating websites also contain enormous databases and you can use them to find a new doctor. All you have to do is type in the doctor's name or your city, and you will be provided with a list of doctors and specialists in your area. These types of websites also provide other details about physicians such as their education, how much experience they have, and whether or not they belong to professional societies. You can also find out what type of certifications each doctor has and get their contact information from these websites. Remember that you can always get a list of doctors from the phone book or your insurance company, but these sources will not tell you which doctor is a great match for you.

It is worth noting that the doctor you choose will be taking care of you for many years. So, it makes a lot of sense to examine other patient assessments of their health care providers before making a decision.

Doctor ratings will ensure that you know what kind of office you're walking into before it happens. Please read on for more information: http://www.doctorreviewsonline.com/.

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Doctor Reviews - Narrowing The Search

Doctor reviews and ratings provide the public with valuable information about a medical professional before committing to a visit. A physician's training and education are just as important as their bedside manner and professionalism, and while the healthcare person may have the training and education you seek, they may not be a good fit for every patient. Finding online doctor reviews written by their other patients can help newer patients find a good doctor that will fit all of their needs.

Doctor reviews online make it possible to explore several different medical professionals at the same time. Many doctor review websites will have a feature that allows the patient to do a side-by-side comparison of up to three doctors. This way, it is much easier for the patient to compare many doctors at the same time, instead of spending a lot of time reading the ratings one at a time. Searching through these ratings online is also much easier if you can narrow down the search of doctors within the desired specialty. One of the most important search factors is location, especially if you are searching for an easily accessible doctor that can respond quickly in the event of an emergency. Location is also important in terms of hospital affiliations. Many doctors will have permission to carry out some of their medical practices in a hospital where they have use of the equipment and hospital staff. However, if the doctor is not affiliated with a hospital near your home, it may be an inconvenience to travel further just to meet your doctor at a hospital. Medical specialty is also important when narrowing your search through doctor reviews. Sometimes patient may be looking for a specific specialty such as cardiology, obstetrics, or psychiatry.

Upon narrowing down the search of potential doctors, the ratings will detail many aspects of a doctor's career. Besides simple background information on the doctor's training and education, many ratings will detail the doctor's career, including where they have practiced and any board certifications they may have. Additionally, the medical ratings will list and awards or sanctions the doctor has received throughout their career. Most importantly, a good doctor review will feature feedback from former and current patients. This is very important because while a doctor may be qualified to practice, there may be some concerns with bedside manner and professionalism, which can only be detailed through previous experience with their other patients. Likewise, some doctors may not have the many years of experience in their field but, if they are knowledgeable and competent, this can be detailed in doctor reviews from the patients.

It is possible to find an appropriate doctor through an online doctor review or rating website. Knowing how to narrow the search and what to look for can help make this process much easier. Although is it possible to find a good doctor online through ratings, it is also important to compile a short-list of health professionals, and then meet them for a consultation before choosing a regular MD.

Doctor reviews are vital to making a good purchase decision in regards to healthcare. If interested in learning more see: http://www.doctorreviewsonline.com.

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What Does Your Doctor Really Mean When He Says "There's Nothing Wrong"?

What thoughts go through your mind when you hear this - "There's nothing wrong."

Most likely you hear that the crappy way you're feeling is all in your head - or so the doctor thinks.

Believe it or not, this is a phrase that's mean to reassure people. Fat chance of that happening. Once more this shows the major gap between the person uttering those sounds and those receiving them.

What the doctor is trying to tell you is that he cannot find anything serious either on examination or on the testing that he's done. And you really do not want something to show up on any of those. He is NOT saying that it's all in your head. There are many things that can be wrong with you but not have major abnormalities that can be easily found.

Part of the problem is that you probably won't listen to anything else the doctor says after that. Do not fall into that trap. What comes next may actually explain the whole thing. You know how fast doctors talk. They don't pause between sentences to see how you absorbed or reacted to that statement.

So, what do you do? First, let's discuss what NOT to do....Do not get upset. Do not shut down. Do not feel abused or ashamed. Do not feel like you've been wasting everyone's time. Do not be angry. Do not discount everything else the doctor's going to say. Do not get flustered. That's the most important of all.

Stay alert and open-minded. If you have to regroup, put your hand up to signal the doctor to slow down or even pause. Listen, listen, listen. See what the doctor has to say afterwards. If it doesn't seem that you're understanding what he's saying even though you've been trying, stop him and ask for clarification. Say "excuse me" or hold your hand up again. If he's not looking or listening, try standing up and see if that will give him a clue.

At that point you can simply say "I don't understand what you're saying." Or you can ask specifically "what do you mean there's nothing wrong? Are you saying that this is all in my head?" One reason we give up so much of our power is that we remain silent. You have to ask for clarification and refuse to be intimidated. You know that there's something bothering you. No, it may not be earth-shattering or something that will be a first recorded case - BUT, it's something making you feel bad enough to come to this humiliating appointment with a doctor who isn't doing a very good job explaining things to you. Don't allow that to happen. Don't give away your power.

Same goes if the doctor says "I can't find anything wrong". I know from my 30 years in medicine that just because I can't find something wrong does NOT mean that there isn't anything 'wrong' with the patient. Doctors do try to find out if there is anything obvious first. And sometimes they will stop looking if there's nothing found on the basic studies. But most often they will try to find something that will provide relief for you while your body heals - even without anyone ever knowing what it was. They will tell you that you need to come back if you're not getting any better. This is not just "blowing you off". It's because right then they are not concerned that there is something major wrong to warrant other studies. But, they are acknowledging that you don't feel well and want you to rest, take the symptomatic medicine you're given and return if you're not feeling better.

It's important that you do not give up your power by giving in. Do not leave the office if you're uncertain what's going on or what the plan of action is. I know this is difficult but you really can do it. You may have to speak up and say "Excuse me, I don't understand. Can you explain this to me so I can understand, doctor? Are you saying that there is nothing wrong with me or that you just cannot find something on your tests?" Do not feel as if you're going to make the doctor mad or he won't like you or something stupid like that. The doctor will NOT know that you don't understand unless you tell him. If you don't say anything, he will only assume that you're fine with everything he's said.

Dr. Wurzbacher is a retired Navy Emergency Medicine Physician who recognized early in her career that she was probably missing much of what her patients were trying to tell her. The Emergency Department is one place that being good at communication is essential - you have no records to work with and not much time. Teaching young doctors and ancillary staff the personal aspects of medicine has become a passion of hers. Her book, "Your Doctor Said What" is intended to help patients not only understand why many doctors seem like aliens but also how to empower themselves to deal with them.

Check her out at http://www.yourdoctorsaidwhat.com and http://www.yourdoctorsaidwhatblog.com.

For help with communicating with your doctor, contact the author at Terrie@askyourdoctorsaidwhat.com

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Doctors

A doctor is a person, especially a physician, dentist or veterinarian trained in the healing arts and licensed to practice medicine. A physician has earned the highest academic degree awarded by a university. When referring to a physician, one usually prefaces the last name by "doctor." It is a title well earned, as medical school is notoriously difficult and laborious to complete successfully. Most people who enter med school never finish. This is an intentional facet of the system, which is designed so that only the best can survive in the health profession as a doctor.

The Hippocratial standards. It is taken by newly graduated physicians to observe the ethical standards of their profession, specifically to seek to preserve life. This principle is based on a dedication to serving the interest of the patient. Altruism contributes to the trust that is central to the physician-patient relationship. Market forces, societal pressures, and administrative exigencies must not compromise this principle.

The best primary care doctors (the doctors you see for check-ups and referrals) are obviously competent and compassionate. Primary care doctors can be a family physician, a gynecologist (for a woman) and a pediatrician for children. This doctor will coordinate your medical history and refer you to a specialist if necessary.

The best way to find a doctor is by family and friend referrals or the yellow pages for possible names to research. There are also referral services available at many hospitals. Call your local hospital and ask if they have a doctor's referral service.

Doctors provides detailed information on Doctors, Family Doctors, Internal Medicine Doctors, Doctor Clinics and more. Doctors is affiliated with Littman Stethoscopes .

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10 Ways To Get The Most Benefit Out Of Your "Quickie" Office Visit With Your Doctor

ATTN: Patients who believe they deserve better!

Surveys on medical office practice reveal that the average office visit with the doctor is 8 minutes. Every patient would like to know how to make that visit count and get better health care out of the deal. The old ways don't work!

The business of medicine requires positive efforts by patients to take responsibility for how beneficial their own health care becomes. How do patients do that?-----By learning techniques and strategies for using every second of those 8 minutes wisely.

After all this time--someone is finally going to tell you!

Take a look at the problems if you don't do something:

o Frustration with incomplete attention to your medical needs every time?

o Forced into extra office visits to get all the medical issues resolved, when it could have all been handled on the first visit?

o Required to fork over a new co-pay fee each time--costing you more "out of pocket" in the long run?

o Knowing that if the doctor doesn't have time to manage all of your medical problems on that visit--will that delay harm you?

o Knowing that if you aren't allowed time enough to tell the doctor about your serious medical problems--will it harm you?

o Concern that with the short time allowed and speed of the visit--some important problem might be missed?

o Understanding that the quality of your care is compromised to some degree because of inadequate time with the doctor?

If you aren't afraid of these factors---you should be!

10 easy ways to improve your health care and avoid being shortchanged:

1. Arrive early for appointments: The patient ahead of you may have cancelled and now you have much more time available with the doctor. Offices using "wave" scheduling (everyone given the same appointment time) is on a first there, the first served basis.

2. Make appointments for mid-morning or mid-afternoon: Doctors are always in a hurry at the beginning of appointment schedules to catch up, and at the end of the schedule to get to noon or evening meetings.

3. Make appointments mid-week: Mondays and Fridays are always crowded with fit-in and urgent appointments that weren't scheduled--and guess who has to wait for those to be seen? And also guess who gets a shorter time than usual with the doctor? Avoid appointments just before holidays.

4. Make a list: List every issue or symptom you need to tell the doctor. Have that list in your hand in the exam room. List the brand name of every medication you take, the doses, and the schedules--and have that in your hand also.

5. Dressing: Always be sure to do your dressing and undressing when the doctor is not in the room. Having to disrobe further to examine a "just remembered" symptom when the doctor is there uses up time needlessly.

6. No children: Make every effort to find a babysitter or chaperone to watch the kids. Any child in the exam room is distracting to the patient and the doctor. Distractions mean less time getting your medical problems attended to.

7. Timing for questions: The best time to get medical problems discussed, and to have the doctor advise you is after the exam is done, late in the visit. If you get into those at the beginning, the doctor will likely have to revise and repeat his comments after the exam.

8. Chummy talk: You can't have both--a friendly chat with the doctor about your vacation, and have enough time in those 8 minutes to manage your medical problems.

9. Medication info: This is usually the first issue in the exam room. Hopefully the nurse will scan and repair your list before you see the doctor. Having your medication list in your hand speeds up the process with the nurse, and avoids having the doctor spend time scanning your medical record for that information.

10. Bonuses: Yes, they do exist! There are 3 that stand out and are of great benefit--but you have to make it happen.

a. Handouts: Ask for any and all written information about your concerns--saves surfing the Internet for answers.

b. Extracurricular Advice: Office staff will often answer questions and give advice quietly and privately to you. ASK!

c. Samples: Free medication samples are often available in the drug closet. Ask for samples, as no one will volunteer to give any to you. They simply don't remember what's in the closet.

Summary: Each one of these strategies will save you precious time, and allow you much more time to interact with the doctor. The white blur that whipped past you in the exam room probably was the doctor. Your eyes are not failing. Use the advice above to bring the doctor into focus--or at least into a slow-motion pattern.

The author, Curt Graham, is a retired medical doctor who has written extensively on many topics over his 35 plus years in active medical practice as a specialist in OB-GYN. He has been published in MODERN PHYSICIAN, an elite publication for physician executives, and is credited as a ?Platinum Expert Author? by EzineArticles.com Internet Directory.

Learn hundreds of easy to use techniques and strategies that will slam your healthcare into high gear and save time and money at the same time. Yes, here's where you start.

http://www.HealthCare-Toolbox.com

Please feel free to copy, send, or distribute this article as long as the article is not changed, and the author bio resource box is included with the article as written.

Copyright 2005, L & C Internet Enterprises, Inc., Curt Graham, All Rights Reserved.

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Easy Ways To Find A Doctor

Finding the right doctor is always a hefty task. You will come across several doctors, physicians, and medical practitioners with various specialties and qualifications to match. The onus is, however, on choosing the right doctor and for this, you need to be sure where to look for the one who can fulfill your needs.

The Internet is gradually turning out to be an important repository for information. Numerous of directories, yellow pages are now available which you can use find information about anything you want. A latest addition is the evolution of directory services for doctors. A number of specialized doctor directory services such as findadoc.com offers information on doctors and physicians. You can find doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, etc evenly categorized by specialties, areas, and even localities to get the services of your choice at your convenience.

However, before making a search, it is important that you make an initial research. For example, find out the history of medical symptoms or diseases. This will leave you in a better position to focus on the areas where you need to search.

Once you have identified your requirements, you can search for them in doctor directories and depending on how far you are willing to travel, and what type of doctor you are searching for, you can narrow down on your choice. You can also search using keywords. For example, If you are looking for an eye specialist in Georgia, you need to mix and match the terms 'eye specialist' and 'Georgia' to get the most appropriate result.

Specialty and certification of the doctor is very important while searching in a directory. Check out for accreditations, seals, etc. This task has been much simplified nowadays since most doctor directories will always display the quality and specializations of the doctors to make search faster. A better idea is to visit the Federation of State Medical Boards to see if any serious disciplinary action has been taken against the doctor you've chosen.

Myself webmaster of http://www.findadoc.com deal in catering services to find a doctor, find a physician, rate doctors, rated doctors, featured doctors and other health medical services

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A Doctor Review - Go Directly to The Source

Doctor review websites can help you find the best specialist in your area. Many of these online review sites allow patients to submit their own review which will include their own experience with the doctor. Many patients will find this helpful because sometimes the basic information such as education and training may not be enough information when it comes to choosing the right doctor.

Doctor reviews that have been submitted by patients will have more details including the doctor's professionalism and how their bedside manner. This is especially important for patients with complication health issues in which they might need to see their doctor frequently. Furthermore, in the event that the patient is looking for a surgeon, patient reviews can be doubly important because they will give more information into the doctor's accuracy and their ability to make recovery after surgery less difficult. This is especially true for plastic surgeons because although a doctor may be qualified to perform any of the various plastic surgeries, they may have more skill with certain procedures. Patient reviews will detail this aspect of the doctor's skill. Doctor reviews allow patients to provide details into their experiences, this can include any comments or criticisms.

Finding a good website featuring these doctor reviews is also important. Many websites do not feature doctor reviews written by patients. Instead they may put more emphasis on the doctor's background. This includes their board certifications, educational and training history, and awards and sanctions. Many patients do not have this information handy when they write their reviews, and so it is just as important to pay attention to these websites that detail the doctor's overall expertise. As an added benefit, these websites will have an unbiased review of the doctor's performance; they simply provide the basic information that most patients would be seeking when looking for a new doctor or specialist. After going through these types of doctor reviews, it possible to compile a short list of doctors that could be possible matches for your health care needs. Furthermore, many insurance companies will provide a list of doctors within their network. Many times, this list will include short doctor reviews, which covers some of the basic information you can find online. However, it is equally important to compare this list with any patient-submitted reviews of the same doctors. This can help you to avoid wasting any time with pointless doctor visits. Although a consultation is important, sometimes it is more convenient to simply read the reviews from other patients to get an overall feel of your compatibility with the doctor in question. When reading reviews submitted by patients, it is equally as important to read them carefully to be sure there are no bias opinions that may have been written by the doctor or their office staff.

Finding a good doctor that is compatible with your needs is important. This is especially true if you are on the search for a specialist such as a plastic surgeon, obstetrician, cardiologist, or urologist. While having an idea of their educational background and board certifications is important, sometimes these basic reviews do not provide enough information. It is equally as important for you to feel comfortable with your doctor. Sometimes it is hard to have a complete understanding of the doctor's compatibility without reading the more in-depth patient-submitted doctor reviews, always consider these kind of reviews in conjunction with the basic information.

A doctor review might be the thing that separates you from having a great healthcare experience and a bad one. For more information visit: http://www.doctorreviewsonline.com/.

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How to Find a Good Doctor

Patients would like to choose a doctor with whom they feel comfortable with and who they think might be the best to treat their ailments. This is a good thing for doctors to take advantage of; they should make themselves and their specialties available to potential patients, who may choose them based upon the information provided.

Doctor finders provide professional information on almost every licensed physician in the country. Doctor finders will furnish the details on the physician's educational history, office hours, accepted insurance providers, and other helpful information.

The American Medical Association (AMA) is the largest physicians group in the US and is involved with all the issues regarding national health. It proves to be an essential part of every physician's life by providing them with the access to AMA's archives, which is a valuable primary information resource. Their online doctor finder helps patients to find a perfect match to their medical needs.

Medline is a service offered by the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institute of Health. It has extensive information about drugs, an illustrated medical encyclopedia, interactive patient tutorials, and latest health news. These directories will help patients find the doctors, dentists and hospitals that are appropriate for their health concerns and medical insurance coverage.

There are investor-owned medical centers like McKenzie-Willamette, which is a member of the American Medical Association. The center has medical facilities from pediatric specialists to a full range of care for adults in an advanced technological environment. The center provides online information to help people find a physician suitable to their needs.

Community service organizations like Doctors Relations are dedicated to help people stay healthy by finding them the doctors who will help them with emergency health problems. In a way, this community service also helps doctors find patients who are located in remote places. The doctors of this service provide nutritional advice needed for their patients, while still prescribing medicine when needed.

Doctor finders follow their own unique principles of ethics, as it involves sensitive issues on a patient's health and the doctor's integrity.

Doctors provides detailed information on Doctors, Family Doctors, Internal Medicine Doctors, Doctor Clinics and more. Doctors is affiliated with Littman Stethoscopes.

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Use Doctor Rating Websites to Find a Doctor Who Is at the Top of His Field!

Doctor rating websites will help you find a doctor you can work with comfortably. They will help you find physicians and specialists who are at the top of their field. These websites contain a wealth of information about doctors and specialists and you should use them when you need a new doctor. You can use these websites to find great doctors whether you need to treat bronchitis, get routine checkups, or have a suspicious lump checked out. Most people would not purchase a new vehicle without checking the ratings online, but they still rely on the phone book to choose a doctor.

When you visit doctor rating websites, you will have to decide what kind of health care provider you need. Do you need a pediatrician? Do you need a doctor who can care for your entire family? Do you need a new gynecologist or urologist? Do you need a cardiologist? If you have allergies, you may want to find an allergist. Have acne? Search for a dermatologist. If you need to get a checkup or treat a simple problem like a cold or the flu, you may want to search for a primary care physician. You can use doctor rating websites to find any kind of doctor or specialist.

Next, you should pull up potential candidates on physician rating websites. Consider the doctors' education, experience, location, and hospital affiliations. Find a doctor who is board certified. Make sure the doctor you choose can treat your specific health issue or condition. Make sure the doctors' licenses are valid before you hire someone. You should also check if the doctor is certified in his sub specialty like treating arthritis or heart disease.

If you don't have health insurance, you may be able to find a doctor who charges affordable rates on doctor rating websites. You may even be able to agree on a reduced fee. You should find out what the doctor's fees are before you make an appointment. Find out if you will have to pay for blood work, medications, X-rays, lab tests, etc.

Other factors to consider are the doctor's hours. Is his office open in the evenings and on weekends? Does he accept walk-ins? Can he schedule same-day appointments when you have an emergency? Are the waiting times reasonable or is his office too crowded?

Do your research. All doctors are not equally skilled. The doctor you hire should be a great match for you or your family members. You need to feel comfortable with your doctor. This is one of the most important relationships you will ever have. If you don't trust or like your current doctor, you should definitely find a new one. I'm sure there are many outstanding doctors in your area. Good luck!

A Doctor rating will help you get a lot of great advice from others about who is a great doctor and who is not as good. For information regarding this please see the following site: http://www.doctorreviewsonline.com/147/doctors-try-to-stifle-online-reviews-with-gag-orders/.

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