FROM THE DOCTOR'S DESK, JIM PHANUCHARAS, MD

 If after visiting this website you feel this is not a good fit for you, I recommend the following tips for finding a qualified physician.  But first you may be wondering how I am qualified to provide these tips. 

I was on the Admissions Committees for Creighton University School of Medicine and for the UCSF-Fresno Residency Training Programs.  Additionally, I served as Chief Resident for the UCSF-Fresno Residency Program where I was in charge of assisting in the education and training of Internal Medicine, Family Practice, and Psychiatry Resident Physicians.  I also served on the St. Agnes Staffing Review Board for physician hospital privileges. 

Unfortunately, as a lay person, "You don't know, what you don't know". Hopefully my resume demonstrates my ability to provide trustworthy advice on finding a highly qualified physician to take care of your health and well-being.  Use the following tips to investigate your current or prospective doctor.

• Check for probation status or disciplinary action at www.mbc.ca.gov
• American Medical Graduate: The advantage of selecting a physician graduate from an accredited U.S. Medical School is that standards of education and training are known and measured.
• Choose an Internal Medicine physician: Internists are trained for three years after medical school, treating complex medical disorders ranging from simple outpatient medical conditions to more complex and life threatening hospitalizations.  It is the basis in which specialties have developed such as cardiology, pulmonology and oncology.  Internists generally treat adolescents and adults only, starting age twelve and older.    
• Check for Board Certification: Board Certification is elective. Physicians who are Board Certified demonstrate their clinical knowledge-base by passing an exam. Documented Internal Medicine Board Certification can be found at www.abim.org
• Accessibility: Can you obtain an appointment within 24 hours?
• Provider:  Are your appointments with the physician or ancillary care provider such as a nurse practioner or physician assistant?
• Referrals: Nationally, the average Medicare patient sees seven physicians including their primary care doctor.  Are you busy running around all over town to obtain your medical care or is your doctor actually addressing your problems?  Many doctors either lack the time or skills to thoroughly address your medical issues, often leading to yet another physician referral.
• Communication: Does your doctor monitor correspondence between all your consulting physicians and keep track of their medical interventions?  Frequent medical errors are due to poor or lack of communication between multiple providers.
• Organization: There is much to be said about the appearance of a physician's office.  The organization and set-up of a medical office may not only demonstrate the ability to maintain and locate your medical chart, but keep track of your test results and procedures.  A misplaced test may alter the course of your illness and life.  Poor organization could lead to lack of follow-up and decline in continuity of care, a detriment to your health and well-being.

I am a Fresno native and a graduate of Clovis West High School.  My hobbies include cooking, traveling the world, skiing, playing tennis, photography, and oil painting.