| Show Pick Doctor Before Illness Hits Advises Utah Medical Association The following Is one of s a series of articles furnished by bl Utah State Medical Association tion The time to pick a doctor for your family is before ill illness ness strikes Millions of Am Am- Americans have done just this thin but there are still millions of families who for one reason or another have neglected to follow this basic rule for good health Having a personal clan Is an Important assurance that you will get prompt em em- emergency treatment when and if you need it A family doctor will also have your medical history at his fingertips lie He will know how you or members bers of your family react to certain drugs your normal blood pressure and what other illnesses you have had This type of information is often Invaluable in making the pro per diagnosis and selecting th beneficial and em cUi cleat treatment I AMONG THE dc are arc the many families who have recently moved to a new this community Is a sizable number since about one out of every three families moves every year Th There re are other optimistic individuals who have never been seriously ill illand and have therefore had no reason to consult a doctor If you are minus a family doctor the first thing to do according to the American Medical Association Is to de- de de clde cide upon the kind of physic physic- physician Ian best suited to your needs The family doctor usually u a general or an In can successfully treat about 85 per cent of the ill ill ill- illnesses ne nesses ses you are likely to have bave Hes He's also a stop one om stop medical service for the entire family and the quarterback who calls the signals when specialized care Is needed THE NEXT STEP is to get gel gelin In touch with your local medi medi- cal society and ask for the names of physicians practicing Ing In your vicinity You can be sure that the men they reo re commend are recognized inthe In InI the tho profession and properly licensed More Information I on these recommendations can be obtained by checking the Medical Association Directory found in public ii 11 I and most hospitals You'll learn the age of each i physician what schools he at- at attended at tended his speciality how howlong howlong long he has practiced and his professional associations When youve you've studied this Information call the doctor of your choice and ask for an appointment Tell him the reason for your visit Most im be frank with the doctor ask him about fees whether he makes night calls what hospitals hes he's associated with and whatever else may maybe be on your mind TAKE A GOOD long look at the doctors doctor's office Is it neat clean and comfortable Then take a longer look at the doctor himself What's your first impression Do you like him as an individual Would you like him to treat you and your children If you answer yes to most of these ques questions then hes he's probably the theman theman man for your family Always remember the choice of doctor Is your own and It Is important to have full confidence In your physician's cian's abilities If at any time you are dissatisfied with his services talk to him about your peeves and see if the dif cant can't be Ironed out If you decide to change doe doc tors tell your your physician dont don't feel guilty andi an simply disappear from view When you tell your doctor youre you're making a change hell he'll know Its It's all right to turn your med ical cal records over to the new physician of your choice |
