With the rise of big data and advanced machine learning, doctors are able to medical knowledge and new treatments across the web. Medical professionals can study reports that other experts have written, making diagnoses easier and empowering patients to make informed health decisions.
However, there are times when your doctor won’t know everything and you could benefit from getting a second opinion. Seeking expert care can make you more sure about your diagnosis and give you access to some of the best treatment options available. Here are a few signs that you may want to consult an expert about your health.
When new or unexplained symptoms arise.
Oftentimes, doctors use their knowledge of side effects and on-hand knowledge to diagnose health conditions. With these informed decisions, they do their best to explain the diagnosis in plain language and put together the right care team to treat you. However, everybody reacts differently when they are affected by a disease, and you may develop rare symptoms that confuse doctors. If this is the care, consider seeking out medical experts to help.
Document your illness using the symptom checker by MediFind. Make a note of when new symptoms crop up and what happens when they appear. This can help the specialists you meet with fully understand your condition.
Fortunately, meeting with a specialist is easier than ever. Many top doctors are willing to set up telemedicine visits with patients who have unique conditions but live too far away to come into the clinic.
When you have specific conditions or attributes.
While medical professionals often follow the latest research and apply this knowledge to their years of experience, some doctors might not be the best fit to treat your condition. For example, if you are overweight, a person of color, or have pre-existing conditions that could affect your treatment, you may want to see a specialist who understands you.
For example, the Washington Post profiled one medical student who started a project to document what bruises, rashes, and other skin conditions look like on dark skin. Malone Mukwende was inspired after looking through countless textbooks and noticing that all of the photos were on white skin, and it is harder to notice certain colors or textures on black or brown skin, potentially leading to misdiagnoses. While all doctors should be able to diagnose brown skin just as effectively, it may be helpful for some patients to seek medical treatment from someone who knows what to look for.
Seeking out specialist care can increase your chances of optimal health outcomes and get you on the best treatment plan for your needs.
When you aren’t making progress.
You may want to seek out a specialist if you have been seeing a therapist who isn’t sure how to move forward with your treatment. Reaching out to meet with professional psychotherapists can actually help your therapist better understand your condition and how to help you with it. While medical professionals often have years of experience treating patients, they can sometimes get thrown off by one patient’s behavior or emotional challenges.
Consider reaching out to a psychiatrist in Northern, VA if you live in the area, or setting up a telemedicine appointment with a therapist or child psychiatrist who is an expert in their field.
The spread of COVID-19 concerns patients from all walks of life and no one wants to get a rare disease or other condition that stumps medical science. However, most problems can be diagnosed with the help of a specialist. Make an appointment with the best doctors who have years of experience in the field so they can treat you.