Finding a Medical Diagnostician: A Guide to Specialized Medical Consultation
To find a medical diagnostician, start by consulting your primary care physician for a referral to a specialist who focuses on complex or difficult-to-diagnose conditions, or search for board-certified internists with diagnostic expertise through professional medical associations.
Understanding Medical Diagnosticians
Medical diagnosticians are physicians who specialize in diagnosing complex or puzzling medical conditions. Unlike some medical specialties, "medical diagnostician" is not a formal board certification but rather describes physicians with particular expertise in diagnostic medicine.
Types of Physicians Who Function as Medical Diagnosticians
- Internists/General Internists: Physicians trained in internal medicine who often serve as diagnosticians for complex cases
- Hospitalists: Hospital-based physicians who diagnose and manage inpatient conditions
- Infectious Disease Specialists: For diagnosing unusual infections or complex infectious presentations
- Rheumatologists: For autoimmune and inflammatory conditions
- Neurologists: For complex neurological presentations
- Endocrinologists: For hormonal and metabolic disorders
How to Find a Medical Diagnostician
1. Consult Your Primary Care Physician
- Ask your primary care doctor for a referral to a physician who specializes in diagnostic medicine
- Discuss your specific symptoms and concerns to help identify the most appropriate specialist
2. Contact Professional Medical Associations
- American College of Physicians: Search their physician directory at www.acponline.org 1
- American Medical Association: Use their "Find a Doctor" service 1
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Offers a "Find an Expert" service to locate qualified healthcare professionals 1
3. Academic Medical Centers and Teaching Hospitals
- Major academic medical centers often have diagnostic clinics or centers specifically for complex cases
- Examples include Mayo Clinic's Diagnostic Clinic, Cleveland Clinic's Center for Diagnostic Medicine, and NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Program
4. Specialized Centers for Specific Conditions
- For suspected genetic disorders: Genetic counseling centers or medical geneticists 1
- For rare diseases: National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) can provide referrals
- For suspected autoimmune disorders: Centers specializing in autoimmune disease diagnosis
What to Look For in a Medical Diagnostician
- Board certification in their specialty
- Experience with complex or rare conditions
- Affiliation with academic medical centers
- Collaborative approach working with multiple specialists
- Willingness to spend time on thorough history-taking and examination
Preparing for Your Appointment
Compile a complete medical history including:
- Chronological list of symptoms
- Previous diagnoses and treatments
- Family medical history
- Complete medication list
- Previous test results and imaging studies
Consider keeping a symptom journal documenting:
- When symptoms occur
- What makes them better or worse
- How they affect daily functioning
Online Resources for Finding Specialists
- American Board of Medical Specialties: www.abms.org
- Doximity: Professional network for physicians with search capabilities
- Zocdoc: Online platform for finding specialists and booking appointments
- Healthgrades: Website with physician reviews and credentials
Important Considerations
- Insurance coverage may vary for different specialists and diagnostic services
- Some specialized diagnostic centers may require a referral from another physician
- Consider seeking a second opinion for complex or difficult-to-diagnose conditions
- Be prepared to travel for highly specialized diagnostic expertise in complex cases
Remember that finding the right medical diagnostician often requires persistence and advocacy for your own health concerns. The diagnostic process for complex conditions may involve multiple specialists and tests before reaching a definitive diagnosis.