For Arthritis Patients the Wrong Doctor Could Spell Disaster
For Arthritis Patients the Wrong Doctor Could Spell Disaster
New Book "Take Back Control of Your Arthritis: The 12 Critical Steps" Debuts During National Arthritis Awareness Month in May
San Antonio, Texas - April 14 /Xpress Press/ - “Choosing the wrong physician may have disastrous consequences for an arthritis patient," says Dr. Joel Rutstein, a board-certified rheumatologist and author of the new book "Take Back Control of Your Arthritis: The 12 Critical Steps."
Dr. Rutstein’s book debuts during May, which is also National Arthritis Awareness Month.
"Finding a Doctor You Can Trust" is the book’s first chapter and first step in Dr. Rutstein’s 12-step “road-map,” which teaches arthritis sufferers how to avoid "the wrong doctors" and better self-manage their rheumatic condition.
How do you know if you are seeing the "the wrong doctor"?
-- Dr. Rutstein suggests asking yourself the following questions the next time you see or call your doctor. If you answer yes to any of them, you may be seeing a physician who is not providing treatment that is in your best interest.
-- Is your doctor unsympathetic when it comes to your complaints about pain?
-- Does your doctor under-treat your pain, or do you feel your doctor does not believe your complaints of pain?
-- Is your doctor excessively busy or a "bad listener"? Does he or she seem uninterested in hearing your medical history or evaluating your multiple complaints?
-- Is your doctor too rough when examining your joints and muscles? Do you sometimes leave the medical office in more pain then when you arrived?
-- Finally, is your doctor a poor communicator? Is your doctor not explaining your diagnosis and plans for treatment clearly and in simple and understandable terms?
“Patients should spend as much time picking the perfect doctor as they would the perfect spouse,” cautions Dr. Rutstein. "After all, your physician is the medical expert responsible for making life and death decisions concerning your health.”
"Take Back Control of Your Arthritis: The 12 Critical Steps," ($19.95, 229 pages) is available for sale at www.ArthritisMall.com or by calling toll free 800-980-6255. Multiple helpful video programs, including innovative exercise videos, are also available for purchase at the site.
About Dr. Joel E. Rutstein
Dr. Rutstein is the publisher of ArthritisCentral.com, one of the largest patient information websites dealing with the subject of arthritis and osteoporosis. A Spanish language version of the site may be accessed at www.ArtritisCentral.com.
In 1978, Dr. Rutstein founded the Arthritis Diagnostic & Treatment Center in San Antonio. He is currently the clinic's director. He is a fellow member of the American College of Rheumatology and the American College of Physicians and is also the Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. BestDoctors.com recently named Dr. Rutstein as one of the "Best Doctors in America for 2003-2004."
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