Frequently Asked Questions

How do I purchase Choosing Your Doctor? See ordering information.

Who should read this book? All people should read this book: those who are "satisfied" with their doctors as well as those who are not. The book describes ways the reader (or patient) can come to understand what good doctoring is all about and, as a result, he or she can learn to manage their doctors. Health insurance systems are using clever techniques to "manage doctors" and thereby ration health care. Patients must learn to manage doctors for their own benefit. There is a real fight pending between patients and health insurance systems and this book helps to arm the patient for his or her benefit.

Can you recommend a good doctor? Not specifically. There are many good doctors out there. The whole point of this book is to teach you how to identify and select one who will meet your specific health care needs.

How can I deal with the insurance systems and HMOs which are trying to limit the care they will give me? Start by reading Choosing Your Doctor. Then don’t file it in your bookcase or give it away. Rather, place it in your glove compartment and each time you visit a doctor read one or two chapters over again. This will be a constant reminder of things to observe about your doctor and it will help you find the good doctors and eliminate the bad ones. Always observe clues that your doctor is rationing his time with you. He or she is forced to do this by the insurance systems which do not wish to have a doctor spend much time with each patient. The more you notice the “rationing”, the more you can point this out to your doctor and he will give you the time you need and then make up for it by trying to limit other patients’ time.

Other questions? If you have other questions not covered here or in my book, do not hesitate to e-mail me and I will try to help. Good luck and happy hunting for that good doctor.

~ George D. LeMaitre, MD, FACS
Author of Choosing Your Doctor