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When Choosing a Physician When choosing a physician regarding the health of your liver, you'll find many doctors possess different levels of training and offer various areas of expertise and medical approaches. As a patient, you will be making a number of important decisions together with your doctor, and you can help ensure a positive experience by matching your own goals and priorities with those of your chosen physician. by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac. If you are living with liver disease, nearly every decision related to your health must be presided over by your doctor. Dependant upon the individual's resources, some people may not realize the range of professionals capable of serving as their partner in navigating liver disease. Once the differences between liver specialists are understood, it will be easier to choose a provider that suits you best. By matching your personal goals and priorities with those of your doctor, it is possible to have a positive experience treating and managing liver disease. Initial Detection There are many different kinds of doctors who evaluate and treat people with liver disorders. Typically referred to as primary care physicians (PCPs), a family physician or internist is often the first doctor to discover you harbor a liver problem. Since the early stages of liver disease are one of the few chronic illnesses exhibiting little to no symptoms, routine testing is the most common method of detection. Once liver disease is suspected, PCPs will usually refer their patients to a specialist for further evaluation and treatment. Although your PCP may refer you to see a specialist within his/her network, your choices needn't be limited by your doctor's suggestions. There are many types of specialists who focus on the liver, and understanding the breadth of choices gives you the tools for finding a specialist who will cater best to your specific needs. Types of Doctors In order to clarify the differences between the different types of doctors, below is a simplified guide. Doctors are delineated here by their amounts of education and training, with increasing levels for each additional segment of clinical training. Level 1 - These doctors have completed four years of medical school training and a minimum of one additional year of training as an intern. In order to legally practice medicine, Level 1 doctors must pass a state licensing exam. There are two kinds of doctors at this level: an MD or a DO.
Level 2 - At this next level of training, an MD or DO is typically required to complete a residency, specialty training for an additional three years. Following their residency, doctors at this level must pass a specialized board certification exam to be board certified in that specialty.
Level 3 - An internist who decides to further specialize in a branch of medicine can embark on a fellowship, consisting of an additional two to three years of residency. Doctors who complete fellowships in gastroenterology, hepatology or infectious disease are most commonly recruited to manage liver disease.
Since their training is so specific, a hepatologist is often the best choice for treating liver disease. In addition to having substantial experience in the diagnosis and treatment of liver diseases, hepatologists are likely to be the first doctors to learn of the most up-to-date therapies (both FDA approved and experimental) for your condition. Support of Alternative Therapies Once you have an idea of the specialist that might suit you best, it is important to evaluate your and your chosen doctor's position on alternative therapies. While a liver specialist is primarily involved in prescribing mainstream medical treatments, they should also be knowledgeable about the available alternatives to conventional medical therapy - and their safety. For example, the highest quality, most absorbable form of milk thistle that's available in UltraThistle is proven to help support liver health. Some hepatologists prescribe UltraThistle for their patients, while others extol avoidance of all herbal supplements. Along the same lines, some people put all of their trust in the tools modern medicine uses to fight liver disease, while others lean towards balancing their treatment with natural, supportive measures. Whether seeking herbal supplementation, acupuncture, homeopathy, other alternative treatments or solely Western medicine for your health, choose a doctor with a similar perspective as you. Your Body, Your Choice Since people with liver disease must make some very important decisions with their doctor, it is important to choose wisely. Remember that this is your health that hangs in the balance, and seeking another opinion is always an option. If uncomfortable with a specialist's advice, get a second opinion. Two suggestions for second opinions include:
Choosing a doctor to help you navigate liver disease can be challenging, even under the best of circumstances. Because the doctor-patient relationship can set the tone of your attitude towards your health, finding the right one can make a tremendous difference. Find a doctor whom you trust, is knowledgeable about your illness and who has a similar position on allopathic and alternative medical treatments as you do. By feeling good about your doctor, you can transform your experience of liver disease into a powerful and rewarding process. References:
www.clevelandclinic.org, How to Choose a Hospital and Transplant Program, Cleveland Clinic, 2007 This entry was posted on Friday, June 13th, 2008 at 4:02 pm and is filed under Liver Health. 1. Information found on liversupport.com |
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