<<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.]