[Tamarante]

How can I tell if I'm dealing with a good Endocrinologist. My husband has been to one once before and all he did was just ask him questions and sent him home. I guess because he was seen right after his surgery and all of his medications were setup for him already.

I'm going to be setting up another appointment soon and I'd like to interview this person because I've been disappointed overall with doctors this past year. What questions should I ask the Endocrinologist in order to get a feel if he/she is competent or not?

I hope this question isn't confusing.

[Cyborg]

If he doesn't give a prescription for bloodwork every time you visit, he/she is not a good endo, IMO...

[Funnygrl]

Originally Posted by Cyborg

If he doesn't give a prescription for bloodwork every time you visit, he/she is not a good endo, IMO...

Not necessarily. I get my a1c checked in office every 3 months when I go, and get a script for blood work once a year.

[Cyborg]

Originally Posted by Funnygrl

Not necessarily. I get my a1c checked in office every 3 months when I go, and get a script for blood work once a year.

So you only find out your a1c and other blood work values once a year?

[princesslinda]

I would think you could tell a good endocrinologist, or any other doctor for that matter, by the way they listen to what you say and answer any questions you may have. If he/she appears rushed or brushes off your concerns, I'd find someone else. You could also ask your family doctor who he recommends or ask other diabetics who they see.

Also, as a patient, you need to make sure that if you have questions, write them down ahead of time, as most of us get nervous and forget things we wanted to ask. Also keep an updated medicine list in your wallet/purse. We have patient's call back all the time with questions they should have asked at their visit, but forgot.

I work in a doctor's office, and you'd be surprised how many patient's when asked about medications will say "I take the green pill for my heart, and the white long pill for my blood pressure" and then become aggravated when you don't know what meds they are on.

[Funnygrl]

Originally Posted by Cyborg

So you only find out your a1c and other blood work values once a year?

I get my a1c every 3 months. They do point of care testing for a1c. I get lipids, cbc, cmp, tsh, t3, t4, etc every year.

[pjams]

IMO a good endo should review the BS log,rather than just to depend on the A1c number. A log will show a pattern which may or may not require corrections. Also, he or she should use CGMS at least once a year to record for 72 hours. And most important of all enough time should be spent to answer all questions. Such a doctor is hard to come by, because after 7 minutes a nurse will knock on the door to announce that there is a call on line 7, which is a code that too much time is being spent on one patient.

[VinceF]

I always ask if they have a CDE on staff, will they download my meter. Will they work with my regular Dr. I also ask who they work with dietician? podiatrist? Does she check my feet and phone in RX's when requested.

My current Dr always returns my call the same day....and calls later that night to check if evrything is alright.

[kgm0612]

I LOVE my endo and here are the main reasons why:

He returns ALL phone calls himself, if not immediately, within one or two hours.

He gives a full exam (checks BP, thyroid, feet, eyes, circulation, infusion sites, etc) and he does lab/blood work on me every 3 months. (A1c, CBC, lipid profile, urinalysis, etc).

He NEVER rushes an appointment. He goes over my BS log sheet, my pump settings, and discusses any questions I may have. We talk about my insulin usage and the medications that I'm taking. Each visit lasts a minimum of 30 minutes, sometimes close to 45.

At my request, he writes ALL my Rx's for a full year. No need to be calling his office for refills.

Karen

[Funnygrl]

He does a lipid panel every three months? I guess I can see that if you need to get a blood draw anyways for the a1c, but otherwise it seems kinda excessive. I could see every 6 months as being resonable. Keep in mind with me getting that only once a year that my lipids have always been perfect and I'm just 21 years old.

[kgm0612]

Sorry.........lipid panel is done every 6 months. I meant to put that in ( ) above.

[KickStart101]

My first questions to a new Endo are:

1. How much square footage in that mansion you got?

2. What drug companies do you have stocks in?

3. What law offices do you have partial ownership of??


Oh No! That's the questions I ask my Surgeons!

[SueM]

A good endo is one who listens to you and works with you.