For Arthritis Patients the Wrong Doctor Could
Spell Disaster
By: Rudy Silva
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."
