Is health care speed-dating the way to find the doctor of your dreams? <\/p>\n
Florida Medical Center in Lauderdale Lakes will be hosting a free event on Valentine's Day to let prospective patients meet physicians through a rotating series of five-minute conversations. Once a bell rings, the person will move on to the next doctor. <\/p>\n
\"With the speed-dating method, people get a chance to sit down with us rather than coming into an office and being intimidated by a bunch of people in white coats,\" said Dr. Ali Shahriari, a thoracic and cardiac surgeon who is participating in the event. \"It's like going to a party and meeting a doctor.\" <\/p>\n
Shahriari said communication between doctor and patient sometimes flounders today as physician practices get busier and technology takes over face-to-face discussions. \"We are losing that connection that has been part of the physician-patient relationship for centuries,\" he said. <\/p>\n
Set during the hospital's annual Heart Health Fair, the one-hour speed-dating event will begin at 10:30 a.m. and feature about five specialists including cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and an OB\/GYN. Anyone not interested in finding a new doctor can use their allotted time to get medical advice, said Shahriari, who's also medical director of the center's Aortic Disease Institute. <\/p>\n
While \"speed-dating\" may be an offbeat approach, experts say it's one more modern way that consumers can get valuable information before picking a health care provider. <\/p>\n
\"I give them credit, it's an innovative thing to do,\" said Dr. John Santa, director of the Consumer Reports Health Ratings Center. \"My doctor colleagues might be disturbed by [the dating event]. But, hey, five minutes of face-to-face conversation is better than nothing.\" <\/p>\n
The nonprofit Consumer Reports offers ratings for heart surgeons, hospitals, health insurance and other health care products for a fee. <\/p>\n
The key, Santa said, is for consumers to ask hard questions. Among them: Can I see the results of satisfaction surveys? Can I see my test and lab results? Does your practice have any relationship with drug or medical device companies? <\/p>\n
Having good rapport and communication between doctor and patient is important, said Dr. Stephen Babic, president of the Palm Beach County Medical Society. <\/p>\n
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