| Are you pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant? If yes, you may be asking yourself several questions. These may include: What type of health care practitioner you want to work with? What type of practice they work in? How you will find your ideal practitioner? What are your birthing alternatives? How do you make the most of yoru patient-practitioner partnership? To get started in the process, it may be helpful to write down what personal and professional qualities will best meet your needs. Types of health care practitioners: - An obstetrician is there to provide a specialty service to women with high-risk pregnancy or those who fear they may have complications. Obstetricians are specialists who are trained to handle every conceivable complication of pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Even though pregnancy looks pretty routine, more than 8 out of 10 women choose to have an obstetrician.
- A family practitioner is a new specialty area updated from the old general practitioner. A family practitioner has several years of specialty training in primary care and obstetrics. A family practitioner can serve as your internist, obstetrician/gynecologist, and pediatrician.
- A certified nurse-midwife is oriented toward ''natural'' childbirth. The focus is on the mother as a person, not a patient, and a holistic approach to the birthing process and the people involved is taken. If this is what you are searching for, then a certified nurse-midwife may be just for you.
Type of Practice: - Solo Medical Practice or Private Practice where the doctors work for themselves and when away another health care practitioner will be available.
- Partnership or Group Medical Practice two or more doctors in the same specialty care jointly for patients on a rotating basis.
- Combination Practice is a group practice including one or more obstetricians and one or more nurse-midwives.
- Maternity or Birth Center-Based Practice certified nurse-midwives provides the bulk of the care, and physicians are on call as needed.
- Independent Certified Nurse-Midwife Practice in states which they are permitted to practice independently, they offer service to women with low-risk pregnancies and the advantage of personalized care.
Choosing a Practitioner/Questions to ask: - When are the best times to contact the office/practitioner?
- Are you willing to speak and work with other family members or supporters?
- Who will be available to answer questions and provide support when you are not available?
- What kind of health care program do you recommend?
- What is your opinion about alternative, noninvasive treatments?
- Are you willing to work with other health care practitioners in determining the most appropriate treatment for me?
- Are you comfortable dealing with patients who are educated about their conditions and manage their own health care?
- Will you be comfortable if I choose to have a second opinion?
Qualities of a Good Health Care Practitioner may include: - Is willing to review, evaluate, and discuss any alternative treatment options you have found.
- Listens and is sympathetic to your needs.
- Is willing to advocate for you.
- Permits you to bring a family member or friend along on visits.
- Encourages you to ask questions or for explanations if you do not understand what you are being told.
- Is honest with you about your diagnosis and treatment options.
- Shows an interest in and reads any materials you bring in.
We hope that we have helped you with your search for an appropriate Health Care Practitioner by including topics that provide guidance in what type of practice they are in, the patient-practitioner relationship, and the signs of a good Health Care Practitioner. |
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