Originally posted by kingrex
View Post
As always, there's both a sunny and a darker side to this. At some point, many doctors decide to narrow the focus of their practices to some kind of sub-specialty, such as electrocardiology (for the general cardiologist) or, for a general neurologist, multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating diseases. Some do this because they have an abiding interest in that area of specialization, while others' primary motivation is the greater income derived from performing highly-reimbursed special procedures or treatments.
I think it's important to understand that a great doctor will pursue the knowledge necessary to successfully treat his or her patients, whether or not he's a "specialist." Regarding MS - my sense is that, unless a neurologist is working in a densely-populated area, there aren't going to be enough MS patients to make a lucrative practice in that relatively narrow sub-specialty - unless part of that practice is completely working up everyone who walks in the door. As a group (if this site is a fair indication), MS patients are a persistent lot, anxious to be diagnosed and open to any and all diagnostic tests, so I can see where a neurologist might see a future in MS as a sub-specialty. But I also think the same neurologist would be happy to see general neuro patients to fill-out his practice.
Absent true board certification, it not uncommon for less-than-qualified physicians to annoint themselves "specialists"...I've known several young doctors who did so after only a couple of years in a general practice.
The character of a physician, to my mind, is more important than what he calls himself.
rex
Comment