Kickball…..A Key to your Health?

In kickball, when you were a kid, everyone got a turn picking their team.  You started with the best kid, the one who could kick, catch and run fast. That kid seemed to be the one who knew who to pick next.  Then you selected what complemented and rounded out the team.  You might know the other team doesn’t kick many balls up in the air, so getting the best “catcher” was maybe not a priority.  But you knew you needed speed on the gym floor vs. the old grass field.  So what the heck does my walk down recess lane mean to your health care? (Besides the fact I was the kid who always took one to the face because I couldn’t catch.)

You need to pick your healthcare team just like your kickball crew.  It is important to pick, interview and build rapport and trust with a general practitioner.  Just picking the name in your “insurance book” nearest your home starts you down the long path to a bumpy game.  Your general practitioner can be any doctor, they just need to know how to advise you on the majority of issues, but more importantly know when you need to see a specialist.  Most everyone should have some relationship with a Dermatologist, skin problems caught early are often very treatable.  Woman should have an OB/GYN who can regularly run tests using both advanced technology and personal physical exams.  Everyone should have an internist who can tell you when to schedule colonoscopy, a prostate exam or bone density screening.  Apples fall from apple trees, so if your entire family has heart problems, might be best to establish a relationship with a great cardiologist before you have a problem, rather than spend much time with a neurologist.

Remember when the new kid picked teams, he didn’t know anyone’s personality, strengths or weaknesses, so his team didn’t work well together, didn’t communicate well, crashed into each other trying to catch the same ball.  Make your health care team a priority in 2008 and get out there and have some fun.

Ask a friend, Ask a Neighbor, Ask a Co-worked or Ask Dr. Lynch?  Dr. Lynch is always happy to be your all around doc or your specialist.  Call or e-mail for help and recommendations on who to pick for your team.  314-965-4070 or drlynch@askdrlynch.com.