Specialty Consults and Types of Doctors
Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluations at J. Flowers Health Institute
The information presented on this page is an overview of the average evaluation of this nature and is offered here as a resource. At J. Flowers Health Institute, our evaluations are customized and tailored to the individual’s needs. We specialize in providing truly comprehensive health and wellness evaluations and a workable plan for future health to those who want to improve their quality of life.
If you would like to learn more about J. Flowers Health Institute, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Types of Doctors
Table of Contents
Specialty consults allow a primary care physician to get information from specialists to improve the care of the patient. Different types of doctors can improve care by identifying more issues. One of the main issues with specialty consults is communication, reporting, and coordination of care. This article will discuss the issues raised by specialty consults and how J. Flowers Health Institute’s multidisciplinary team and comprehensive diagnostic evaluations minimize or eliminate these issues.
Learn how an accomplished team of medical professionals in the same practice can improve care and provide better treatment outcomes.
Primary Care Physician
A patient’s primary care physician is responsible for a patient’s overall care. These types of doctors are usually known as general practitioners, family care physicians, or internists. GP types of doctors treat patients for everyday kinds of illnesses and conditions, such as colds and viral infections. This type of doctor also oversees a person’s overall health and wellness with the use of yearly physicals, blood laboratory reports, and by creating full health histories.
Specialist vs. Primary Care
Medical Specialties
There are many medical specialties for many different types of doctors. Comprehensive medical evaluations will use many of the specialists to improve patient care. Having multiple specialists in one medical practice enhances communication between the different types of doctors and leads to better patient care.
Types of Specialists
- Allergists treat immune disorders, such as eczema and allergies to foods or other substances.
- Anesthesiologists numb pain during surgery or other procedures.
- Cardiologists specialize in heart and blood vessel issues.
- Colon and rectal surgeons treat issues within the small intestine and colon.
- Dermatologists handle problems to do with the skin, hair, and nails.
- Endocrinologists treat hormonal and metabolic conditions, such as diabetes and thyroid issues.
- Family Physicians can treat children, adults, and older populations.
- Gastroenterologists specialize in the digestive organs.
- Hematologists treat issues involving the blood, spleen, and lymph glands.
- Internists care for and treat adults. They usually have extra training in sub-specialties and can help diagnose conditions or refer the patient to specialists.
- Neurologists treat brain, nerve, and spinal conditions.
- Osteopaths are fully licensed medical doctors that take a "whole body" approach to treatment. They believe in using modern technology while also trusting in the body's natural healing abilities.
- Psychiatrists help those who suffer from mental, emotional, and addictive disorders.
- Psychiatrists help those who suffer from mental, emotional, and addictive disorders.
Addiction Specialists
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Specialty Consults
What Your Doctor Should Consider Before Requesting Specialty Consults
Why is the Specialty Consult Needed?
- Advice on a diagnosis
- Advice on ways to manage a disease
- Making arrangements for a certain test or procedure
What Should be Done Before Specialty Consults?
What Should be Done Before Specialty Consults?
What Information Will the Specialist Request?
How Urgent is the Specialty Consult?
Does the Consult Need to Be in Person?
STAR Act
How Should a Doctor Educate the Patient on Specialty Consults?
Involve the Patient in Choosing the Specialty Doctor
Clarify How the Appointment Will be Made
Discuss Potential Barriers
Document Meetings About Specialty Consults in Writing
- State of the purpose
- Advise for non-visit options
- Provide scheduling details
- Explain what the patient should do prior to the consult
- Provide information about how the referring doctor will be involved after the consult
- Provide all important contact information
- Explain an abstract picture
J. Flowers Health Institute’s Treatment Advantages
Specialty Consults for Addiction and Co-Occurring Disorders
For those suffering from a co-occurring disorder or have received a dual diagnosis, it helps to know that there are different types of doctors of varying medical specialties who are available.
Either a mental health illness or a substance use issue may develop first. In some cases, those who experience mental health problems may begin using drugs or alcohol to self-medicate and mask symptoms to feel better. Using substances, however, typically worsens the symptoms associated with mental illness.
In other instances, someone who is suffering from a severe addiction to substances may develop mental illness due to the drugs’ effects on the brain.
Disorders That Commonly Coincide With Addiction
Many people who suffer from substance use disorder also have a co-occurring mental health disorder. This is called a dual diagnosis.
When an individual receives a dual diagnosis, they need to have both disorders fully addressed in order to live a healthy, fulfilling lifestyle. There are some common mental and behavioral health conditions that are often linked to substance abuse. They include:
- Attention-Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD): Someone with ADHD may abuse substances in an effort to manage their symptoms. Doctors might prescribe stimulants to help control ADHD symptoms, but these drugs can become habit-forming, leading to addiction.
- Bipolar Disorder: Between 40 percent and 70 percent of individuals who have bipolar disorder also suffer from a substance use disorder.5
- Borderline Personality Disorder: People with BPD have a higher tendency to abuse substances because of their impulsive behaviors and emotional instability.
- Depression: About one-third of adults suffering from depression also have a substance use disorder.
- Generalized Anxiety Disorders: People who have GAD may tend to use substances like alcohol and drugs to relieve their symptoms.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Someone with OCD has compulsions and obsessions that are irrational. They tend to suffer from anxiety and depression, which may lead to substance abuse.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: The brain of a person suffering from PTSD produces less feel-good endorphins. This can cause them to use drugs or alcohol in an attempt to feel happier.
Your Addiction Care Team
- Psychiatrists who specialize in treatment for addiction
- Medical doctors with expertise in withdrawal treatment
- Psychologists and therapists who treat addiction issues
- Licensed addiction counselors
- Licensed clinical social workers specializing in addiction
- Occupational or physical therapists
- Family Physicians can treat children, adults, and older populations.
- Nutritionists
A Multidisciplinary Approach
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Counseling
- Medications to help with withdrawal symptoms and/or mental health disturbances
- Education
- Spiritual and wellness care
- Continued care planning
Substance Abuse Can Cause Medical Conditions
Treatment for Dual Diagnosis
Mood Disorders
- Feeling sad or anxious for long periods of time
- Having hopeless or helpless feelings
- Low self-esteem
- Feeling worthless and/or guilty
- Having suicidal thoughts
- Trouble with sleep
- Decrease in energy
- Decreased appetite
- Inability to make decisions
- Physical aches and pains
- Sensitivity to failure or rejection
Anxiety Disorders
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Panic disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Social phobia
Personality Disorders
Consulting Physicians
Resources
- https://nida.nih.gov/nidamed-medical-health-professionals/health-professions-education/adm-fellow-toolkit/about-addiction-medicine-subspecialty#:~:text=They%20provide%20prevention%2C%20evaluation%2C%20diagnosis
- https://www.the-hospitalist.org/hospitalist/article/121853/10-questions-you-should-consider-specialist-consultations
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17081077
- https://www.drugwarfacts.org/chapter/prevalence
- https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/cbhsq-reports/NSDUHNationalFindingsReport2018/NSDUHNationalFindingsReport2018.pdf
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64105/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6826790/
- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/mood-disorders
- https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/eating-disorders/what-are-eating-disorders