5 Things to Look for in a Rheumatologist

Lene Andersen is wondering how to clone herself Living With It Lene Andersen is a writer and photographer living in Toronto,... Send Message Subscribe: Lene Andersen

Tuesday, January 27, 2009
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A common piece of advice to those who have just been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is to "find a good rheumatologist," but what makes a specialist "good"? Do they give frequent flyer points at every appointment that you can redeem for gift certificates to the store of your choice? Do they ...

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here, here!
Sara Nash
Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at 11:33 AM

This is such good advice, Lene (as always)! Especially the part about being the boss of your own medical team. I think that was a hard thing for me to absort when I was first diagnosed. I grew up, as I think many of us do, with a deferential regard for doctors. In situations like this, though, we are the boss and need to be our own best advocates!

re: here, here!
Lene Andersen
Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at 12:24 PM

You're right, learning to disengage from the "doctor is god" model in which we've been raised can be a real challenge. It's also, I found, often difficult for doctors to disengage from this belief.

re: re: here, here!
Sara Nash
Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at 12:25 PM

haha-quite true! Luckily, my rheumatologist is a keeper.

Good Rheumatologist
knittingyoyo
Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at 11:34 AM

You have completely described my rheumatologist. I have been going to Dr.Stanley Cohen in Dallas since 2001. I was very, very bad at that time and not only did he give me hope and medicines he was a comforting soul for me in my distress. He always has time to listen and never seems to be in a hurry even though I know he has many other patients. I always am able to talk to his nurse and can get in quickly if I have a problem. If my insurances changes, which it has, the first doctor I check is Dr. Cohen. I have said I am willing to change to other doctors for other things but not my rheumatologist. I told him he could never retire and we both laughed but seriously he has given me back the ability to function and participate in daily life. Can you tell I adore him?

re: Good Rheumatologist
Lene Andersen
Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at 12:26 PM

You're a very lucky woman and thanks for posting his name - there might be someone in your area who's desperate for a good doctor. Hopefully, Dr. Cohen is affiliated with a teaching hospital so he can teach new doctors how to become good ones.

re: re: Good Rheumatologist
knittingyoyo
Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at 12:46 PM

Actually he is. He is with UT Southwestern. They work with St Paul Hospital and the teaching group that UT Southwestern has that is also connected with Parkland Hospital in Dallas. He is also connected with patient studies that enable people who do not have insurance to obtain medications. I love to pass his name on because he has helped me so much. He also has new doctor who is specializing in RA that is there to see patients if he has to be out of town. She is great also.