Why Your Doctor May Refer You to Another Doctor
May 31, 2016
While many people have one primary care physician that they see when necessary, chronic pain patients often go through several different doctors in the course of treatment. In this article, we are going to talk about why your doctor may refer you out to another physician, and some tips for making the process go as smoothly as possible.
The first thing you have to understand is that different doctors have different specialties. Medicine is a vast field and it would be impossible for one single doctor to master all the different sub-specialties. That’s why we have different types of doctors. Primary care physicians typically focus on your general health and well-being (these are the doctors you would go to for a routine physical). Pain management physicians, on the other hand, are trained in the treatment of pain conditions. These physicians have more in-depth knowledge and training on how to treat the various types of pain. There is also a wide array of physicians who specialize in different types of surgery – from spine surgery, to general surgery.
Typically, if your physician refers you out to another provider, it’s for a very good reason. It may initially seem like your doctor is abandoning you, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Your doctor is concerned with your health, and if there is another specialist who can better treat your pain, they may refer you out to ensure that you receive the best care possible.
At Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN, our physicians specialize in pain management. We make it a point to partner with patients who suffer from chronic or acute pain and make a long-term commitment to finding the right treatment for each patient. That being said, some conditions or injuries may require the help of another specialized medical professional. When that happens, we work with the patient and other physician to ensure that the patient has the best experience possible. Contact our Edina pain clinic today to set up an appointment with one of our pain management specialists, and get back on the path to a pain-free life.