Tips For Choosing The Best Pain Management Specialist

1. Tips For Choosing The Best Pain Management Specialist Selecting the best pain management clinic for you can be quite a challenge. With more than 100 million Americans living with chronic pain, it is no wonder we have seen an increase in the number of people turning to these specialty centers. Chronic pain – regardless of where it is in your body – can wreak havoc on your life, making it difficult to sleep, concentrate at work, and enjoy life to the fullest. This is why the pain management doctors in San Diego are dedicated to helping you find relief. Get referrals Start by asking your primary care doctor for a referral list of pain specialist doctor in San Diego. You can also ask family, friends and other healthcare providers for recommendations. Take the time to research the doctors’ credentials and experience. As you narrow down your list, call each pain medicine doctor’s office to make a consult appointment to meet and interview the doctor. Research the pain medicine doctor’s credentials Board certification is one of the most important factors to consider when you are choosing a pain medicine doctor. When a doctor has completed a pain medicine fellowship program, it tells you that he or she has the necessary training, skills and experience to provide healthcare in pain medicine. Also confirm that the doctor has no history of malpractice claims or disciplinary actions. You can find the pain medicine doctor’s medical school, training hospital, certifications, and malpractice and disciplinary history on Healthgrades.com and state websites. Consider the doctor’s experience Experience matters when you’re dealing with chronic pain or painful conditions. The more experience a pain medicine doctor has with a condition or procedure, the better your results are likely to be. Ask how many patients with your specific condition the doctor has treated. If you need a specific procedure, such as a nerve block, ask how many of the procedures the doctor has performed and find out about complication rates—complications the doctor has encountered as well as your own risk of complications. Ask about Tele-health capabilities Healthcare providers can diagnose and treat some patients using telecommunications technology, including two- way video, smart phones, and email; it's called Tele-health. Ask if the doctor offers Tele-health capabilities. Tele- health doesn’t replace hands-on in-person office visits, but for many patients, it means fewer trips to the doctor’s office. Some conditions can be managed by sending symptoms and vital signs you collect at home and having a “virtual visit” with your provider. Tele-health can also be used for routine follow-ups and minor complaints too, making it a convenient option. Check to make sure your health insurance will pay for Tele-health services. Evaluate communication styles Choose a pain management specialist in San Diego with whom you are comfortable talking and who supports your information needs. When you first meet the pain medicine doctor, ask a question and notice how he or she responds. Does he or she welcome your questions and answer them in ways that you can understand? Find a pain medicine doctor who shows an interest in getting to know you, who will consider your treatment preferences, and who will respect your decision-making process.