A few decades ago, most families relied upon a general practitioner to look after most of their medical needs. This doctor delivered babies, treated childhood illnesses, set broken bones, performed surgery, and comforted the aged and dying. But lacking vaccines, antibiotics, and other modern medications and daring surgical procedures, these doctors were helpless against many diseases that are now easily cured. Today, with the growing complexity of conventional medicine, more doctors are specializing in specific parts of the body. Consequently, families are likely to be attended by several doctors, either individual practitioners or members of a prepaid health maintenance organization (HMO).
Faced with a rapidly changing health care system, sky rocketing health care costs, and so many medical specialists and sub specialists, patients often don’t know where to start when they have medical problems. They are baffled by the technology and complexity of modern medicine, and may feel alienated from their physicians, who perhaps don’t take the time to explain various procedures. Experts agree that it’s essential in this era of medical specialization and group care for individuals to have a primary physician to oversee and coordinate care. Most primary care physicians are trained in family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, or gynecology. If you have a chronic disorder such as heart disease, diabetes, or arthritis, your primary doctor may specialize in that area, and still oversee your care for other problems. Whenever sickness strikes, you should start by seeing your primary doctor, who can, if appropriate, refer you to specialists.
The Diagnostic Process
All medical treatment hinges on an accurate diagnosis, and this begins with a careful medical history. Often, your doctor can zero in on what’s ailing you simply by asking the right questions. Of course, you must describe your concerns and symptoms truthfully and accurately. Patients are sometimes afraid to bring up what’s really worrying them, and they wait for the doctor to broach the subject. On the other hand, talking about deeply personal matters, even to a doctor, can be embarrassing. It’s important to be as forthright as possible.
After taking a medical history, the doctor does a physical examination. Although the emphasis varies according to the symptoms, a typical exam usually includes measuring your height, weight, and blood pressure, and checking your heart and other organs, abdomen, mouth, throat, and eyes for any abnormalities. Routine laboratory tests blood and urine analyses and perhaps a chest X ray and an electrocardiogram (ECG) round out a complete physical. If more information is needed, additional tests may be ordered, or a medical specialist consulted. After gathering as much data as possible, the doctor interprets it and arrives at a diagnosis.