These Biblical verses say, “Love your neighbor as yourself” and “Do unto others as you would have them do to you” respectively.

What do these concepts, which are found in various forms in most religions, have to do with Healthcare?

These proverbs are the foundation of what we now call the “Golden Rule”.  It guides the moral compass and ethics we are urged to follow in regards to our interactions with others.  It is the same for healthcare providers.

Here is the question that I always ask myself when recommending care for patients.  “Knowing what I know, what would I do if this were me?”   The answer to that question guides me.  As a consumer of healthcare also, I would ask that of my healthcare provider just as I ask it of myself when I am that provider.

Yet, there are pitfalls with this question.  First is: what is “knowing”.   With over 35 years experience, I know more now than I ever did.   Does that change my treatment recommendations?   Yes it does.  I know what works and just as important, I know what doesn’t work.

With the half-life of medical knowledge estimated at 5 years or less, keeping up on up-to-date knowledge is increasingly difficult.  Current “knowledge” is the key.

So, another key question I ask myself constantly is; “Is the knowledge I have the most current or is there something more I need to know before making a recommendation?”  Sometimes, the answer to this question is “I don’t know”.  What do I do then?

I rely on a group of highly passionate specialists for consultation.   I can’t keep up with everything there is to know about the increasing complexity of just Dentistry not to mention Medicine.

That’s why I may ask a patient to see a specialist.   It’s as much for my edification as it is for theirs.

That’s why I ask for all your Physicians names and phone numbers.   I may need to contact them to get me up to date on a specific medication, treatment or illness.

How can you, as a health care consumer appreciate the level of your healthcare provider’s “Knowledge”?

One way is membership in specific organizations that require reaching a level of expertise or maintenance of continuing education.   For instance, I belong to the American Dental Association.   That means nothing to you as consumer as it relates to my knowledge of dentistry other than it means I graduated a Dental School.

However I also belong to a several organizations that are selective.   You can’t just apply; you have to be voted in based on exacting criteria.   The International Academy of Dental-Facial Esthetics, The New York Academy of Dentistry and the American College of Dentists are 3 such organizations.   There are several others.

It is incumbent on you, the consumer, to look at your Healthcare provider’s credentials and scrutinize them to determine what they mean and how relevant they are to your needs.

To your health,

Michael