Doctor Visits

Finding a Doctor

Here are some tips to find a doctor:

• Check with your insurance to find providers who will be covered by your plan.
• Ask for references. Your relatives, friends, co-workers, healthcare providers, or other patients with chronic pancreatitis may have recommendations.
• Logistics matter. Consider the clinic's location, office hours, ease of contact, responsiveness, and wait times to be seen.

For help finding a gastroenterologist:

• Visit the American College of Gastroenterologist "Find a Gastroenterologist (GI Doctor)" directory
• Call local hospitals or look online for doctors who specialize in digestive disease and with interest in pancreatic diseases.

For help finding a center with expertise in chronic pancreatitis near to you:

• Visit the National Pancreas Foundation "Center of Excellence Locator"

People who have chronic medical conditions, such as chronic pancreatitis, tend to be healthier and more satisfied with their care when they have a good relationship with their doctors. Requesting medical providers who are concordant with your ethnicity, gender identity, and language may also help to strengthen your trust in your care team. If you are not able to find a specialist who shares the group within which you identify, you may be able to find a primary care doctor who does. Other members of the medical team, such as nurses, medical assistants, physical therapists, and pharmacists may also be sources of information and support.

How to Prepare for the Visit with Your Doctor?

Before Your Visit

• Be prepared. Before making an appointment, make sure that the doctor you are seeing accepts your health insurance.
• Prioritize your concerns. If you want to talk about more than two or three items, make a list and put the items in order of importance. That way you can make sure to talk about the most important items first.
• Think about what to bring with you. Bring a copy of your health history to your appointment, especially if it is your first visit to a particular doctor. Your health history may include a record of the dates and results of past tests, major illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, chronic illnesses, allergies, and a family history of any physical and mental illnesses. Make sure to bring all relevant health insurance cards.
• Bring someone you trust to your appointment with you. Tell them what you want to get out of the appointment ahead of time. They can help you remember what you want to discuss and take notes for you during the appointment.
• Schedule regular appointments to talk about managing your symptoms, to address your concerns, and to track your progress. This can be a more helpful way to manage your chronic pancreatitis over time instead of making appointments only when symptoms worsen.
• Track your symptoms with a symptom journal. This information can be helpful to both you and your doctor in tracking your medical condition, and it can help you identify potential triggers that aggravate your symptoms.

During Your Visit

• Share information. Tell your doctor about any current symptoms or concerns during your visit. Explain how you feel physically, share your emotions, and give examples.
• Take notes at office visits to make sure you understand and remember what you need to do.
• Ask questions and be direct with your provider. If you do not understand something your provider says, ask him/her to explain it.
• Get it in writing. Ask your doctor to write down what you should do between now and your next visit. This may include instructions for how to take medications, specialists you should see, and/or lifestyle modifications.
• Be brave! Health issues can be hard to talk about, but it is important that your doctor has as much relevant information from you as possible so that her/she can recommend the best possible care.
• Work together with your healthcare provider to get the best treatment possible. Respecting each other and meeting regularly can help your relationship.

After Your Visit

• Keep a medical folder of health papers in case you switch healthcare providers, travel, or want to have a medical history.
• Take charge and follow the plan your healthcare provider gives you. If you have problems, or your condition worsens or changes, call to report it. Do not wait for a problem to become too big before seeking medical help.
• Enroll in the online health portal. Many clinics and hospitals offer an online health portal where patients can communicate directly with their physician. You may also be able to refill prescriptions and access 'after-visit summaries', clinic notes and all your tests through this resource. Ask your physician if they offer this resource and how to set up an account.
• Find a new doctor. You have the right to change doctors. To switch doctors within the same office, talk to someone at your physician's office directly. To change your provider completely, try contacting your health insurance. If you have a negative experience with a doctor or medical team, say something.

Healthcare Empowerment

You may have had negative experiences interacting with doctors which may make it difficult for you to trust in medical providers or the healthcare system. For example:

• Healthcare systems contain systemic bias and racism which contribute to lower health outcomes among underrepresented groups.
• Medical gaslighting occurs when a doctor or other medical professional downplays a patient's symptom. The provider may be dismissive or critical of the patient's reported concerns. This can then cause the patient to doubt their own concerns.
• Stigma surrounding alcohol use and opioid-seeking behavior can lead healthcare providers to view patients' symptoms with suspicion. These patients may be unfairly labeled or not taken seriously, causing their legitimate health concerns to be dismissed. This can result in patients feeling ashamed or reluctant to seek further care, ultimately impacting their health outcomes.

This reality may contribute to feelings of uncertainty about medical visits. It is important for you to know that these feelings are valid and you are not alone. Building trust is key, but it may be a slow process. Here are some suggestions for what to do when you don't feel heard:

• Bring a trusted friend or relative with you to the appointment. Some hospital systems or support groups may have suggestions for patient advocates who can accompany you.
• Make a list of your top concerns and requests for any testing. Provide this information early in the appointment.
• Ask your doctor to write down your symptoms in your medical record and give you access to your health information.
• It may help to share your concerns with your care team up front if you have any.

Patient-Provider Interactions

Here we share examples of interactions with healthcare providers that people might experience when seeking care for their chronic pain symptoms.

Negative Experiences When Seeking Pain Care

A Care Plan for Chronic Pain