That's what it felt like it would take to discover a doctor who didn't make me feel like a diagnostic idiot with the unusual nerve/pain problem I suddenly developed after two very prolonged surgeries.
His intelligence is the first thing I noticed. How he was prepared to ask me questions that were relevant to the information sent by my referring doctor. He actually had thoroughly prepared for the appointment!
He was very empathetic in listening to the fear and frustration I felt at this unexpected turn in my life. He did not rush me through a proforma dialogue, but instead attempted to hunt down the course of my disease like a good hound on the scent.
He encouraged me, that although there were several courses to pursue in solving this problem, he was not afraid of the challenge or the difficulties they might entail. I felt hopeful!
Finally, instead of reinventing the wheel, the next step was gathering thorough information (all the records and appointment notes from the other doctor's I'd seen) before he began any new course of treatment. He said I'd been through enough already and he didn't need to add to my discomfort by retrying modalities that had already been attempted and showed no signs of success (imagine that!) without gathering more clinical information.
And last but not least, he has a great sense of humor and unlike many high level surgeons I have known professionally, he doesn't act like he's God! What a relief because then I don't need to be a saint, just someone in need of a good doctor. I feel like I've struck gold.
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Capital Neurology Dr David Cook
2 reviews –
