Tips to consider when finding a doctor
Whether your doctor is a family doctor or a specialist (like a gastroenterologist), there are certain qualities to look for to help you get the care you need for your incontinence.
Here is a checklist of questions to consider:
- Is your doctor sympathetic? Does he or she listen carefully as you explain your symptoms? Does he or she understand the real impact of incontinence on your life? If you feel your doctor thinks your symptoms are trivial or “all in your head,” it’s time to move on.
- Does your doctor spend the time needed to explain and discuss your incontinence?
- Does your doctor order many tests, but fail to explain the reason for them and the meaning of their results?
- Does your doctor regularly order medicines or diets without explanation of their risks and benefits?
- Are you able to get an appointment within a reasonable time?
- Is your doctor usually available, or do you often see a stand-in who is unfamiliar with your case?
- Does your doctor seem knowledgeable about your illness, yet willing to seek a specialist’s advice for difficult issues?
Perhaps most importantly, does the doctor inspire your confidence? Are you able to establish a good relationship? Incontinence is a long-term condition that will likely take twists and turns over time. You will be best served by a doctor who is your partner through this.
No doctor is perfect, but the answers to the above questions should help you decide. Remember, you are not married to your doctor. It is your right to find a new one and have your complete medical record transferred. On the other hand, too many changes can work against you.
Once you have found a good doctor, it’s important to establish effective communication regarding symptoms and treatment management for fecal incontinence. This can help make appointments easier, more time effective and also less stressful.
Learn more about how to talk to your doctor
More Finding a Doctor Topics
- How to Talk to Your Doctor
- Doctor-Patient Communication
- How to Help Your Doctor Help You
- Helpful Insights from a GI Doctor
- Changing Doctors
Looking for a Provider? Helpful links:
- Find a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist – Compiled and maintained by Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
- AGA GI Locator Service – Compiled and maintained by American Gastroenterological Association (AGA)
- Find a Gastroenterologist – Compiled and maintained by American College of Gastroenterology (ACG)
- A Registry of GI Motility Laboratories for Patient Evaluation – Compiled and maintained by The American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society (ANMS)
- Find a Pediatric Gastroenterologist – Compiled and maintained by the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN)
Adapted from IFFGD Publication: I Have a Gut Problem: Which Doctor Should I See? by W. Grant Thompson, MD, FRCP(C), Emeritus Professor of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
