FOOT PAIN & PODIATRY ONLINE
CONSIDERATIONS
IN CHOOSING A FOOT DOCTOR
Looking for a new foot doctor is a very difficult experience today. Many foot doctors appear from the surface to have the same amount of compassion for their patients, have similar qualifications and experience but in reality, this is rarely the case. Due to the poor regulation of advertising, it is very common to find advertisements that are misleading in that the doctor will overstate their qualifications and experience.
One of the most difficult problems today, in finding a good foot doctor, is understanding what type of patients the doctor primarily cares for in their practice. Today, many foot doctors are employed by an HMO and must see patients every 5 to 10 minutes. When the occasional patient with good insurance is treated by the HMO doctor, the patient receives the same amount of time with the doctor as an HMO patient. The other major difference in being treated by a HMO doctor is that the HMO doctor typically will order excessive tests and aggressively recommend surgery for the patient with good insurance but will under treat an HMO patient because of the issues of how the doctor is paid. In contrast, since 1990, the Placentia-Linda Foot and Ankle Group has never had any HMO capitated contracts and every new patient is scheduled as a new patient for one hour with the doctor and one half hour for follow-up appointments. The purpose for providing extra time is to insure each patient receives a thorough examination and the doctor has enough time to explain what is the your medical problem explained and options for treatment as well as to allow for questions to be answered.
One of the other problems today in finding a doctor is that the reputation of the care provided by the doctor is difficult to determine because many doctors have three or four different locations and the level of training of the doctor varies considerably. Oddly enough today just about every advertisement states that the doctor is board certified. However, only 26% of all foot surgeons are actually board certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery. In many cases, doctors have become the Jack of all joints and the master of none due to the pressures imposed on doctors to treat every musculoskeletal problem regardless of their expertise in the area. In contrast to this situation, the doctors at the Placentia-Linda Foot and Ankle Group have been at the same location for more than 10 years and do not have any other locations. In addition, both doctors completed their residency at the Veterans Administration Hospital in San Francisco that provided a comprehensive exposure to medical conditions concerning the lower extremity and the doctors are Board Certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery.
In choosing a new foot doctor, the way the office staff interacts with the patient as is also very important. As a patient, you deserve to be treated with respect and consideration in making appointments and asking questions about your bill. Since 1990, both doctors have tailored every aspect of the office experience to enhance the overall treatment experience. The staff at the Placentia-Linda Foot and Ankle Group are experienced professionals who understand what it means to go to a doctor's office. As a matter of respect, both doctors insist that the office is very clean and well maintained with attractive rooms and comfortable furniture. From the first phone call to the office, the patient will be given the level of service one should expect in choosing a non-HMO insurance plan. As an example of some of the services that the office staff provide as part of the commitment to patient service, each new patient has a new patient packet sent to their home to allow the patient to fill out their medical history in the convenience of their home and the patient's insurance information is verified to insure a smooth processing of the insurance claim. Prior to each patient's scheduled office visit, a reminder phone call is provided and the staff makes every effort to accommodate each patient's schedule. Billing is submitted electronically and every effort is made to be the advocate for the patient to insure that the insurance company does not leave the patient with unpaid medical bills.
In conclusion, today is a challenging time for finding a good doctor and especially a good foot specialist. As a general guide, look for a doctor that is detail oriented and takes their time explaining what is wrong and what can be done to correct the medical problem. The doctors at the Placentia-Linda Foot and Ankle Group understand these challenges and have the credentials, compassion and time honored experience to insure that your next encounter with a doctor's office will be an excellent experience.