Recently I came upon an article in the March 2011 issue of Consumer Reports “What Doctors wish their patients knew.” Interestingly, the results were a compilation of some 660 primary- care medical providers that responded to an online survey in September 2010 regarding personal professional challenges and how a patient could get the most out of their relationship.
A highlight of survey results and primary- care medical provider recommendations for patients to ensure they receive better healthcare included:
1. Forming a long-term relationship with a primary care medical provider is the most important thing a patient can do to obtain better medical care. Steve Grumbach, M.D. , professor and chair of the department of family and community medicine at UC-San Francisco, confirmed stating “A primary care doctor should be your partner in overall health, not just someone you go to for minor problems or a referral to specialty care.”
2. Being respectful and courteous toward your medical provider and recognizing that respect is a two way street.
3. Complying with advice or treatment recommendations once they have been discussed and agreed upon by both provider and patient.
4. Recognizing that primary care medical providers are harder on themselves than patients were when it came to judging their ability to minimize pain, discomfort or disability caused by a condition.
5. Keeping track of your medical history by compiling an informal log of treatments, drugs, changes in condition, notes from previous doctor visits tests and procedures and bringing this information to your appointment.
6. Taking a friend or relative to your office visit to be a second pair of eyes and ears.
7. Researching your medical condition online was discouraged by primary care medical providers due to a variety of websites that are advertiser funded and designed to guide you to a specific treatment. If you must research, it is better to look at government sites such as those for the CDC, FDA, and National Cancer Institute.
8. Recognizing that the volume of insurance paperwork, financial pressures, and health plan rules and restrictions can interfere with a primary care provider’s ability to provide optimal care. Therefore, it is recommended a patient plan ahead for an appointment by jotting down questions or concerns you might have and prioritizing them.
Increased awareness and implementing these valuable recommendations can make for a better, more productive and healthy outcome for both the provider and patient alike. This will begin to set the patient on a path of achieving and maintaining a lifestyle of holistic health.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Something for the LADIES...
Ladies, have you ever thought you had a yeast infection? Experienced an itching that wouldn’t go away or a smelly vaginal odor? Vaginal yeast infection, known as vaginal candidiasis, is an infection involving fungus or yeast. The most common fungus seen is a form known as Candida Albicans. Normally this yeast is found in normal proportions in warm and moist areas of the body. However, when Candida multiplies to the point of an infection, symptoms such as vaginal inflammation, irritation, odor, vaginal discharge, and itching can result.
Causes of yeast infection can include antibiotic use, steroid use, diabetes where elevated blood sugars can affect the ph of the vagina , a weakened immune system, use of douches, tight underwear or jeans, and hormonal changes.
Although over the counter creams such as Monistat can treat a yeast infection, many women who think they have a yeast infection and treat as such, find no relief. This is due primarily to the fact they may have another type of vaginal infection such as bacterial vaginosis, trichimoniasis, or streptococcus B. In this case seeing a medical provider is necessary to accurately diagnose via special testing and treat the infection with prescriptive oral medications.
Furthermore, any woman experiencing symptoms such as foul smelling or yellow vaginal discharge, bloody discharge, increased urination, stomach or back pain, vomiting and fever should contact a medical provider for a thorough evaluation.
Causes of yeast infection can include antibiotic use, steroid use, diabetes where elevated blood sugars can affect the ph of the vagina , a weakened immune system, use of douches, tight underwear or jeans, and hormonal changes.
Although over the counter creams such as Monistat can treat a yeast infection, many women who think they have a yeast infection and treat as such, find no relief. This is due primarily to the fact they may have another type of vaginal infection such as bacterial vaginosis, trichimoniasis, or streptococcus B. In this case seeing a medical provider is necessary to accurately diagnose via special testing and treat the infection with prescriptive oral medications.
Furthermore, any woman experiencing symptoms such as foul smelling or yellow vaginal discharge, bloody discharge, increased urination, stomach or back pain, vomiting and fever should contact a medical provider for a thorough evaluation.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
What to do after an Auto Accident
As a physician who is involved with patients in all aspects of a car wreck, I want to share some basics of what to do in case you are involved in an automobile accident and how to prepare yourself to get the treatment you need after you have had an accident.
Firstly, motor vehicle accidents (MVA) account for approximately 1.3 million deaths annually and are the leading cause of death in youth (those less than 35 years old). With these statistics, it is not only legally necessary, but also wise to possess insurance coverage. If you drive, it is likely that you will be involved in some form of MVA sooner or later. My advice is that if you drive a vehicle, insure the vehicle fully including the most personal injury protection or PIP that you can get. PIP is the part of your car insurance that covers your immediate medical bills. Most policies have basic coverage for $10k. Consider, however, that a single MRI (a common diagnostic test) may cost up to $1500.00 and physical therapy typically costs about $90.00 per session. PIP is especially crucial if you do not possess adequate medical insurance. The key to healing from your injuries is to get the proper care, including diagnostic tests over the right amount of time. More and more, it is difficult to find quality providers including physical therapists and specialists who are willing to see and treat individuals who only have coverage through the other party’s insurance, also called third party.
So, what to do if you get involved in a car accident? Here are some thoughts, not necessarily in order:
1. Call 911—if you think you need to. If hurt, call 911 to be properly assessed in the field. Stay in the car to help gather yourself and wait for the aide car. In some circumstances, get out of the car if the placement of the car is in a risky place on the road.
2. Do not admit fault—this is not the time! Let the insurance company sort all of that later. This is to protect you in case your memory of the events or your understanding of who is at fault is wrong.
3. Call the police—I am amazed of how facts get redefined after the motor vehicle accident! If it’s more than a small bump or superficial injuries, call the police (use 911). Get a copy of the report at the scene. The ticket is the police’s opinion of fault.
4. Get the other driver’s license and insurance information---copy down everything from the other driver’s license. All of it, the state, the ID number, the address. Do not forget to get phone numbers. Also do not forget to get the make, model, and license number.
5. Call your insurance company—let them know what happened. This is especially true if you are not the one at fault. They will want to work especially hard at proving the other driver is at fault.
6. Be assessed by emergency department—if you have any symptoms either immediately or later that day, it is prudent to be assessed in the E.R. to clear internal injuries, neck injuries, etc.
7. Get in to see your doctor soon—preferably the next day. Early assessment, ordering of diagnostics studies, and treating inflammation early is important to getting healthy again. The key to attaining the goal of pre-accident status is early assessment and treatment. If you are no better after two weeks of the accident, get a referral by your doctor to a physical therapist, chiropractor, massage therapist, or acupuncturist. Which one you see is dependent upon your injuries as they all have their areas of expertise.
8. Consider a lawyer—this should not be the first step and not all lawyers are of the same quality. Many are out for the dollar and not your best interest. I think it best to see who your physician recommends and trusts. Consider legal representation if your injuries are serious, if there is a pre-existing history of injuries or if your insurance company does not seem to have your best interest in mind.
If you would like more information on our services, contact us at http://www.eastsidefamilyhealth.com or by phone: 425-899-2525
___________________________________________________
Dr. Frank Marinkovich and his wife Rita own and operate Eastside Family Health Center in Kirkland, WA. Serving Kirkland and the Eastside, Seattle, Bellevue, Renton and the surrounding local communities. Specializing in Primary Care, Automobile Accidents and FAA physicals. Be sure to find out more about their NEW specialized Laser Treatment. Visit them online at Eastside Family Health Center or call them at (425) 899-2525.
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Firstly, motor vehicle accidents (MVA) account for approximately 1.3 million deaths annually and are the leading cause of death in youth (those less than 35 years old). With these statistics, it is not only legally necessary, but also wise to possess insurance coverage. If you drive, it is likely that you will be involved in some form of MVA sooner or later. My advice is that if you drive a vehicle, insure the vehicle fully including the most personal injury protection or PIP that you can get. PIP is the part of your car insurance that covers your immediate medical bills. Most policies have basic coverage for $10k. Consider, however, that a single MRI (a common diagnostic test) may cost up to $1500.00 and physical therapy typically costs about $90.00 per session. PIP is especially crucial if you do not possess adequate medical insurance. The key to healing from your injuries is to get the proper care, including diagnostic tests over the right amount of time. More and more, it is difficult to find quality providers including physical therapists and specialists who are willing to see and treat individuals who only have coverage through the other party’s insurance, also called third party.
So, what to do if you get involved in a car accident? Here are some thoughts, not necessarily in order:
1. Call 911—if you think you need to. If hurt, call 911 to be properly assessed in the field. Stay in the car to help gather yourself and wait for the aide car. In some circumstances, get out of the car if the placement of the car is in a risky place on the road.
2. Do not admit fault—this is not the time! Let the insurance company sort all of that later. This is to protect you in case your memory of the events or your understanding of who is at fault is wrong.
3. Call the police—I am amazed of how facts get redefined after the motor vehicle accident! If it’s more than a small bump or superficial injuries, call the police (use 911). Get a copy of the report at the scene. The ticket is the police’s opinion of fault.
4. Get the other driver’s license and insurance information---copy down everything from the other driver’s license. All of it, the state, the ID number, the address. Do not forget to get phone numbers. Also do not forget to get the make, model, and license number.
5. Call your insurance company—let them know what happened. This is especially true if you are not the one at fault. They will want to work especially hard at proving the other driver is at fault.
6. Be assessed by emergency department—if you have any symptoms either immediately or later that day, it is prudent to be assessed in the E.R. to clear internal injuries, neck injuries, etc.
7. Get in to see your doctor soon—preferably the next day. Early assessment, ordering of diagnostics studies, and treating inflammation early is important to getting healthy again. The key to attaining the goal of pre-accident status is early assessment and treatment. If you are no better after two weeks of the accident, get a referral by your doctor to a physical therapist, chiropractor, massage therapist, or acupuncturist. Which one you see is dependent upon your injuries as they all have their areas of expertise.
8. Consider a lawyer—this should not be the first step and not all lawyers are of the same quality. Many are out for the dollar and not your best interest. I think it best to see who your physician recommends and trusts. Consider legal representation if your injuries are serious, if there is a pre-existing history of injuries or if your insurance company does not seem to have your best interest in mind.
If you would like more information on our services, contact us at http://www.eastsidefamilyhealth.com or by phone: 425-899-2525
___________________________________________________
LIKE us at Facebook!
FOLLOW us on Twitter!
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