Working with Your Doctor.
Last updated Thursday, January 06, 2005
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Your health care teamWhat health care professionals may help a person with arthritis? Many health professionals may be involved in your care, depending on
your condition and whether they are available in your area. Some of the
health care professionals you might meet are listed below. The first
eight are medical doctors, and the next seven are arthritis health
professionals.
- Family physicians and general practitioners provide general medical care for adults and for children.
- Internists provide evaluation and management for adult diseases.
- Rheumatologists specialize in treating people with arthritis or any of the rheumatic diseases.
- Orthopedists help evaluate and manage bone and joint problems and can perform surgical procedures such as joint replacement.
- Physiatrists are physicians who may direct your physical therapy and rehabilitation.
- Ophthalmologists are physicians who may provide eye care and treatment.
- Pediatricians are physicians who treat childhood diseases.
- Psychiatrists are physicians who may provide treatment if you have mental or emotional problems that need special attention.
- Podiatrists
are experts in the care of feet. If your arthritis affects your feet,
podiatrists can prescribe special supports and shoes to help you.
- Nurses
trained in arthritis care assist your doctor with your treatment. They
also help explain your prescribed treatment program and can answer many
of your questions.
- Physical therapists may show you exercises to maintain muscle strength and use of joints.
- Occupational
therapists may teach you how to reduce strain on your joints while
carrying out everyday activities. They may provide you with splints and
other devices to help protect your joints.
- Psychologists help to solve emotional or mental problems.
- Social workers can help you find solutions to the financial and social problems you may encounter.
- Pharmacists
will fill your prescriptions for medications and can explain the
actions and side effects of these drugs. They also advise you about
drug interactions and over-the-counter medications.
Who is in charge of the treatment of a person with arthritis? With so many skilled professionals involved, it's sometimes difficult
to keep everything straight. You're the central focus of the efforts
made by these experts. Therefore, you and your doctor need to make sure
that your treatment program is understood by all the team members.What should a person with arthritis expect from his or her health care team? In order to have a partnership with your doctor and other health
care professionals, you should expect good medical care from them. Good
medical care includes being told about your arthritis and the essential
facts of your treatment. This information should include costs,
medications, side effects, and other possible options for treatment.
In addition, you should be assured of privacy concerning your
records, hospital stays, and finances. If you ask for a second opinion,
your doctor should assist you by suggesting other physicians you can
consult, and by making your medical records available to the person you
select.
Every member of your health care team should contribute to your good
medical care. If you don't feel that you're getting the right attention
from one of the members, let that person and your doctor know how you
feel. Remember, team members aren't mind readers. It is your
responsibility to inform them of your concerns. Otherwise, they will
probably assume that you are satisfied with the care you are getting.
It is important for you to understand that if you criticize a member
of your medical team in a positive way, it does not hurt his or her
feelings. Your comments won't be taken personally and you will probably
be thanked for helping to improve your care. By letting the team
members know your feelings, you can help foster the cooperative spirit
that is necessary for the success of the whole team.
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