While Krupat suspects personality scales can one day help people find compatible doctors - after all, they’ve helped people find dates and spouses - they can’t take the place of a face-to-face meeting or the thrill of knowing you’ve found someone you can count on for the long haul.
What to look for in a doctor
Regardless of your personality, you should always seek a doctor who has the three Cs - competence, communication and compassion - says William Buchholz, MD, oncologist and primary care physician in Mountain View, Calif. You must be confident your doctor knows what he’s doing, that he can convey the information and instructions you need and that he cares about your well being, says Dr. Buchholz. Other qualities you’ll want in any doctor include:
Experience treating your condition. The more experience your doctor has with your condition, generally, the more adept he will be at recognizing and treating it. For example, a doctor who has little experience with fibromyalgia might not be as quick to make a diagnosis and prescribe effective treatment as one who’s spent a lot of time with such patients.
Up-to-date knowledge. Your doctor may have the bedside manner of Marcus Welby, MD, the benevolent 1970s TV doc, but he should be up-to-date on the research and techniques. Arthritis research advances continuously. Make sure your doctor is on top of the latest studies so he can provide the best care.
Accessibility. A doctor who can’t see you for two weeks or return calls when you’re in the midst of a medication reaction or a flare can make you feel like a second-rate patient.
Willingness to fight. A good doctor will go to bat for you with your insurance company if they don’t want to cover a specialist referral, surgical procedure or medication he’s recommended.
A solid office staff. Your doctor may be wonderful, but if her staff loses your phone messages, deletes your e-mail, fails to do what they say they will or treats you rudely when you call or visit, consider looking elsewhere, says Dr. Buchholz.
