| Taking the pain out of finding a specialty doctor | | | | especially for those disability claimants who are house |
| Most individuals find the process of applying for | | | | bound. Simply go to a search engine such as google |
| disability tiresome. Forms with special letters and | | | | and type in, for instance, key words such as |
| numbers coupled with extensive questions and the | | | | "fibromyalgia support groups in Atlanta, GA." In |
| request for additional records often leaves a disability | | | | addition, most major illnesses have national |
| applicant exhausted, both mentally and physically. | | | | foundations, so if the above search does not yield |
| After a claimant files his/her initial application either | | | | any positive results, try key words such as "national |
| online, on the phone, or at a local security office, | | | | arthritis foundation." In this particular example, The |
| most claimants feel the only thing remaining following | | | | Arthritis Foundation found at arthritis.org sponsors |
| their efforts is to wait patiently for a ruling, hopefully | | | | many fibromyalgia support groups in the US. In |
| a favorable one. However, to increase the claimant's | | | | addition, the National Fibromyalgia Association website |
| probability of receiving social security disability | | | | can be found at fmaware.org. A similar approach will |
| benefits, the pursuit must go on. Depending upon an | | | | help disability applicants find specific doctors trained in |
| individual's medical condition, most illnesses, especially | | | | their illness. While using the same manner described |
| those complex in nature, require supportive medical | | | | above, use key words such as "fibromyalgia |
| documentation from a specialist. For example, due to | | | | physicians in Atlanta, GA." Some illnesses have |
| the severity and complex nature of disorders such as | | | | websites devoted strictly to helping individuals find |
| Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, and RSD, several doctors | | | | doctors in a chosen field. For example, the website |
| (often ranging from a family physician to pain | | | | provides a list of doctors who deal primarily with |
| management doctors/specialists, psychologists, | | | | fibromyalgia patients. |
| occupational therapists, and sleep disorder physicians) | | | | Support groups not only provide emotional support |
| are involved with the care of the individual. | | | | to individuals stricken with the disease, but some |
| A specialist is a physician that has received additional | | | | groups provide support or additional resources for |
| training in a particular field. Most often, he/she is able | | | | family members. All illnesses, despite their degree of |
| to perform tests that family physicians are unable to | | | | severity, affect immediate family members whether |
| either because they do not have access to specific | | | | being an emotional and/or physical toll or an increased |
| and required testing equipment or they have not | | | | financial obligation. In addition to emotional support, |
| been trained in a specialized area of medicine. This | | | | these type groups are a great source for networking |
| article is written with the disability applicant in mind, | | | | with other individuals similarly situated. Support groups |
| especially those claimants that are already mentally | | | | often meet monthly or bi-weekly while others have |
| and/or physical exhausted by the disability process. | | | | weekly scheduled meetings. Because of their likeness |
| This article provides readers with a basic roadmap, a | | | | in an illness, support group participants are a great |
| place to start by incorporating unique tools | | | | resource tool for finding a specialist. Local |
| surprisingly common to network marketing. By utilizing | | | | newspapers often have a section that lists all local |
| these tips, claimants will be able to find highly trained | | | | support groups available in a common area. |
| and reputable physicians specializing in particular | | | | Although there are potentially many more networking |
| disorders. A reminder to readers - it is essential after | | | | avenues available for finding a specialist, the above is |
| finding a physician that claimants take the next step | | | | a great starting point. While utilizing any of the above, |
| by following through with an appointment and | | | | claimants should be able to locate a physician that will |
| beginning treatment as soon as possible. However, | | | | be able to work with them throughout the disability |
| always check with your attorney and/or | | | | process. These highly trained doctors are familiar with |
| representative before making your final decision and | | | | both the documentation and tests needed to aid the |
| beginning any course of treatment. Your attorney | | | | disability claimant with their application. In closing, it is |
| should always be skilled in the area of disability and | | | | recommended that a claimant take an active "PART" |
| will know the best strategy needed for helping you | | | | in any visit that he/she has with a physician, whether |
| receive disability benefits. | | | | it be a family physician or a specialist. Being active |
| Below are the top three ways recommended for | | | | prior to and during an appointment yields a productive |
| finding a doctor, one that is both knowledgeable and | | | | session. The word "PART" is broken down as follows: |
| has a reputation of integrity: | | | | P - Prepare: make a precise list of questions or |
| Referrals - Referrers consist mainly of family, friends | | | | concerns before your appointment. This is not strictly |
| and co-workers. More often than not, when a | | | | limited to the first appointment only. Prepare for each |
| referrer makes a referral, he/she is basing their | | | | appointment. As both your treatment and illness |
| opinion on knowledge a disability applicant may or | | | | progresses, new questions will arise. By having a list |
| may not have privilege to. The referrer may already | | | | of questions ready, you will be able to make the |
| have a relationship with a particular doctor. In this | | | | most of the time afforded to you by your doctor. |
| case, the referrer has past knowledge of a particular | | | | A - Be Active: begin the visit with a brief description |
| doctor's "bed-side" manners so to speak. In addition, | | | | of what your main concerns are. Be honest and tell |
| those referrers who have used a doctor in the past | | | | the doctor exactly how you feel. Also, be sure to be |
| can share information related to clinic directions, hours | | | | specific on where you experience pain, if any and |
| of operations, etc. Often word of mouth referrals | | | | how this pain affects your daily life. |
| are better than any other kind of resource a claimant | | | | R - Repeat: State back to the doctor what the |
| has available. | | | | doctor has said to you. Doctor's visits are often short |
| Church, Synagogue, etc. - Churches, synagogues, and | | | | and follow-up calls often result in returned calls by a |
| other places of worship serve as a valuable resource | | | | nurse only. Make sure you understand what your |
| for finding doctors in specific fields of medicine. | | | | doctor is saying. |
| Because of the diversity that members of a church | | | | T - Take Charge: As the visit ends, ask yourself if |
| organization bring, it is often the quickest and safest | | | | you have everything, you need to take charge of |
| place to network with others when trying to locate a | | | | your illness. Remember, you are in charge of your life. |
| particular person of interest. Usually the church leader | | | | You run your life, not your life runs you. |
| is able to make a quick recommendation, as he/she | | | | Again, as mentioned earlier, before making a final |
| has knowledge of the members' professions. | | | | decision on a specialist, check with your disability |
| Support Groups - There are multiple means in which | | | | attorney and/or representative. Specialty doctors are |
| to find support groups for any medical condition. If | | | | expensive and routinely order a series of extensive |
| you are uncertain if a specific support group exists in | | | | testing. Be sure that any tests ordered are |
| your local area, the internet is a beginning point, | | | | necessary to further your disability cause. |