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Health

Doctor's Orders

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Wherever you live in Solano, Napa or Yolo counties, wherever you work, however you spend your leisure time, nothing is more important than your health. And choosing the right physicians-a task we know reappears on your "to do" list as your life, family and medical needs change-can be part of the prescription for a lifetime of well-being.

For this, our first time bringing you the names of the region's top doctors as selected by their peers, we surveyed licensed physicians in good standing with the Medical Board of California, practicing in our three-county region. We asked them to tell us who they would call upon to treat themselves or a loved one. They were invited to name as many of their peers in any specialties. (For more information on the survey method, see the "How we conducted our Top Doctors survey" sidebar.)

Thanks to all the doctors who took time to respond, we are pleased to present 96 physicians in 36 specialties. And for another perspective and even more choices, we've included a listing prepared for us by Boston-based Best Doctors (bestdoctors.com), a company that identifies top-notch doctors through peer recommendations plus other criteria.

All told, we've included the names of 194 highly recommended physicians for your consideration.

Besides compiling a list of the most-recommended physicians within each specialty, we also spoke to five doctors with whom we thought you'd like to become better acquainted. Besides inquiring about the basics of their respective practices—education and credentials—we asked them to diagnose how they relate to patients, and for advice on choosing a physician and making the most of the time you spend in your doctor's office. And we asked two more of our top physicians to explain what they do as doctors of osteopathy-D.O.s.

Our featured doctors voice a common professional philosophy that includes treating patients with compassion and educating them on their health issues. And, they stress the importance of communication in the doctor-patient relationship.

"If you have a physician who treats you well and with whom you interact well, that's half the battle," sums up dermatologic surgeon Dr. John Geisse. "A lot of medicine is communication, so you have to have good communication with your provider."

Regardless of the physicians you choose, you owe it to yourself to become your own best health care advocate. Visit your "top doctor" on the recommended schedule for your age and health status. Go prepared with a prioritized list of questions and concerns. If you need to take notes while in the office, do so, or ask the doctor for permission to record your conversation. And don't hesitate to ask for clarification if you don't understand something, even if it means a follow-up phone call.

As we present the results of our first regional Top Doctors survey, we at Solano Magazine wish you all the gift of good health for the upcoming holiday season and 2006.