<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Newsletter Roundup ------------------ Compiled by Jim Lyles This section contains excerpts from newsletters produced by other celiac groups. ................................................................. : : : Excerpts from _Derby City Celiac_ : : --------------------------------- : : Winter 1998-9 Bill Banks, editor : : Greater Louisville Celiac Sprue Support Group : : PO Box 7194 : : Louisville, KY 40257-0194 : :...............................................................: How to Get Your Doctor's Attention, by Marge Johannemann ---------------------------------- In these days of HMOs, PPOs, managed care, and increasingly larger physician practices; not to mention voice mail; we all find it harder to be heard as consumers of health care. Here are a few guidelines to help you get the attention you deserve: 1. Select a physician who is knowledgeable about his/her specialty, and is willing to take the time to really listen to what you have to say. 2. Don't waste your physician's time with frivolous conversation and vague information. (This includes phone calls.) Make a list of questions in advance to ensure that you get all the information you need. 3. For at least two weeks, keep a detailed diary of symptoms, diet, episodes or pain, etc.; to take to your next appointment. The doctor should find it hard to ignore detailed written information including dates and times. 4. When calling the physician, leave a concise message, including time and date of call, your telephone number and/or your pharmacy phone number; and indicate if your call is an emergency. Allow a reasonable amount of time for the doctor to respond. 5. If your doctor fails to respond, contact the office operator, and in a friendly but firm manner explain the problem and request a call back by the physician. Always get the name of the person you spoke with. 6. If your doctor still fails to respond, maybe you need to find another physician who is willing to treat you as a health care consumer (his/her "bread and butter"). 7. Always remember: You deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. A diagnosis is not a privilege, it is a right. [It works both ways. You should also be respectful, particularly with office people who are just the middlemen--ed.]