Vim & Vigor - Spring 2012 - Parrish Medical Center - (Page 21)

vival Sur Patient Guide Y Navigate the healthcare system like a pro with these tips I don’t have a doctor. Survival Strategy: Ask around, and start researching. Here’s a time the Internet is good for something other than status updates and recipes. If you don’t have a physician and haven’t found a good referral from friends or family, you can use online resources—such as your local hospital’s website—to find one suited to your needs. Major insurance carriers allow searches by location, subspecialty and other criteria. If those websites aren’t enough, check with the state’s medical board website to confirm that your prospective doctor is board-certified in his or her specialty. More helpfully, this site lets you know whether a doctor has complaints or sanctions for malpractice. ou have a nagging cough. Or a hitch in your step. And you’ve been putting off a visit to your doctor. It could be because you’re too busy. Or you fear the outcome. Or maybe you think you won’t get an appointment or the doctor is too busy for your minor ailment. You may think your reasoning is sound, but avoiding the doctor’s office is no way to feel better. In fact, with the right resources and some useful information, you can improve your own healthcare experience. Consider us your Healthcare Sherpa, steering you toward streamlined appointments, efficient services and overall satisfaction. Just use this Vim & Vigor Patient Survival Guide to get started. Situation : By John Tomkiw photograph by photoLIbrary Vim & Vigor • Spri ng 2012 21

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Spring 2012 - Parrish Medical Center

Vim & Vigor - Spring 2012 - Parrish Medical Center
Contents
Tasty Tips
Opening Thoughts
Community Calendar
In the Business of Healing People
What's New?
Get Real
How Far We’ve Come
Patient Survival Guide
Perfect Attendance
A New Day
Lean on Me
Intimidated by the Gym?
What Is Your Volunteer Style?
A Prescription for Relief
Community Health
Joe Knows Stress
SPECIAL: Caring for the Littlest Bones and Joints
Foundation Focus
Ask the Expert

Vim & Vigor - Spring 2012 - Parrish Medical Center