RED URINE CAUSES |
URINARY PROBLEMS |
URINARY CANCER
URINARY SYMPTOMS |
URINE TESTS |
URINARY HEALTH
Nephrologist, Urologist - Urine Doctor
Types of Medical Professions
1) Decide What You Want and Need in a Doctor
2) Make a List of Doctors
4) Contact the Doctors' Offices
5) Talking with Your Doctor
Urologists and nephrologists are trained urinary tract health and urinary tract problem prevention and treatment.
Specialists are doctors who treat only certain parts of the
body, conditions, or age groups.
Things to look for in a doctor:
- Is rated to give quality care.
- Has the training and background that meet your needs.
- Takes steps to prevent illness-for example, talks to you about quitting smoking.
- Has privileges at the hospital of your choice.
- Is part of your health plan, unless you can you afford to pay extra.
- Encourages you to ask questions.
- Listens to you.
- Explains things clearly and respectfully.
Pediatricians and family practitioners are primary care doctors for many children.
Physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and certified nurse midwives are trained to deliver many aspects of primary care. Physician assistants must practice in partnership with doctors. Nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives can work independently in some States, but not others. Doctors and Health Plans If you already are in a health plan, your choices may be limited to doctors who participate in the plan. But if you have a choice of plans, you may want to first think about which doctor(s) you would like to use. Then, you may be able to choose a plan that has your choice of doctor(s).
Decide What You Want and Need in a Doctor
A medical professional should be:
- Highly rated by a reliable consumer or other group that does not have something to gain from the ratings
- Needs to have experience with my condition (in our case red urine and digestive problems).
- Have privileges (is permitted to practice) at the hospital of my choice.
- Must be part of my health plan.
- If you are in a managed care plan, check the plan's list of doctors first.
- Ask the health professionals you know to recommend you a doctor.
- Call a doctor referral service at a hospital. But keep in mind that these services usually refer you to any of the doctors on the staff of that hospital.
- Some local medical societies offer lists of doctors who are members but it is difficult to tell the quality if the services.
- Ask family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers.
When you have found a few names of doctors you might want to try, call
their offices. The first thing to find out is whether the doctor is
covered by your health plan and is taking new patients. If the doctor
is not covered by your plan, are you prepared to pay the extra costs?
Here are some things to find out from office staff:
- Which hospitals does the doctor use?
- What are the office hours of the doctor and the staff?
- Does the doctor or someone else in the office speak the language that I am most comfortable speaking?
- How many other doctors "cover" for the doctor when he or she is not available? Who are they?
- How long does it usually take to get a routine appointment?
- What happens if I need to cancel an appointment? Will I have to pay for it anyway?
- Does the office send appointment reminders?
- What do I do if I need urgent care or have an emergency?
- Does the doctor give advice over the phone for common medical problems?
- Give me a chance to ask questions?
- Really listen to my questions?
- Answer in terms I understood?
- Show respect for me?
- Ask me questions?
- Make me feel comfortable?
- Address the health problem(s) I came with?
- Ask me my preferences about different kinds of treatments?
- Spend enough time with me?
Research has shown that patients who have a good relationship with
their doctors tend to be more satisfied with their care-and to have
better results. Here are some tips to help you and your doctor become
partners.
Give information. Don't wait to be asked!
- Be proactive in telling your doctor what you think is important that he or she needs to know.
- It is important to tell your doctor personal information even if it makes you feel embarrassed or uncomfortable.
- Bring an up-to-date "health history" list with you.
- Bring a list of any chemical or natural medicines and treatments you are taking. Talk about any allergies or reactions you have had to your medicines.
- Bring other medical information, such as x-ray films, test results, and medical records.
- Ask questions. If you don't, your doctor may think you understand everything that was said.
- Write down your questions before your visit.
- You might want to bring someone along to help you ask questions, understand and remember the answers.
- Don't be afraid of asking for a second explanation if there was something you did not understand.
- Take notes.
- Some doctors do not mind if you bring a tape recorder to help you remember things. But always ask first.
- Don't be afraid to let your doctor know if you need more time.
- Ask for written instructions.
- Ask how you can get additional information like brochures or videos
- If you have questions, call.
- If your symptoms get worse, or if you have problems with your medicine, call.
- If you had tests and do not hear from your doctor, do not assume you will always be called. Call for your test results.