Dr. Edgar H. Tan, a consistent honor student graduated Bachelor of Science major in Biology cum laude from Silliman University in 1982. A Faculty Silver Medal Awardee and graduated cum laude when he earned his Medical Degree from Cebu Doctors' College of Medicine in April of 1986.

He spent one year of post graduate internship at the prestigious Philippine General Hospital from May 1, 1986 to April 30, 1987 and subsequently passed his Philippine Medical Licensure Exam rank #15 in August of 1987. He pursued further training in Internal Medicine from 1989-1993 under the New York Medical College Program where he served as the Administrative Chief Medical Resident for one year. He subsequently did his Fellowship Training in Clinical/Invasive Cardiology under the consortium of Metropolitan & New York Medical College Program from 1993-1996. After his medical training in New York he practiced Internal Medicine/Invasive Cardiology in the State of South Carolina from 1996-1997 with privileges at Marlboro Park Hospital Bennettsville SC & McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence SC. He holds an active medical license in the State of South Carolina from 1996 up to the present. He decided to come back to Cebu and practice his profession starting February 1998. His foresight at keeping his US medical license active inspite of practicing medicine outside the US has come handy for US expats currently in the Philippines wanting medical care recognized by US HMO's.

Dr. Tan is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, American Board of Cardiovascular Disease and Philippine College of Physicians. He is also trained and certified in the field of Nuclear Cardiology. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, American College of Cardiology and Philippine College of Physicians. His extensive background comes handy by making available the highest standard of US quality medical care right in the heart of Cebu City.

He is affiliated with Cebu Doctors' University Hospital, where he is currently the Section Head of Cardiology Department. He is also affiliated with UCMed and Perpetual Succour Hospital. His practice includes General Internal Medicine & Adult Clinical/Interventional Cardiology. He has admitting privileges at the University of Cebu Medical Center, Cebu Doctors' University Hospital & Perpetual Succour Hospital.

His office is located at Cebu Doctors' University Hospital Medical Arts Building 1, Suite 203-B, OsmeƱa Blvd. Cebu City Philippines. His office hours are 9am-12pm Mon-Sat. and 2pm to 5pm except Wed. and Sat. Tel: (032) 412-5136.

Email:EdgarTan62@yahoo.com or EdgarTanMD@gmail.com

Monday, June 18, 2012

Simple Tips on How to find the right doctor!

Inspite of the internet making life easier for the tech savvy to research their doctor before the visit, there is no way to replace the good old face to face interaction to see if you found the right one for you. Here are some of the tips on how to make the experience a little easier in this day and age!

1. RESEARCH: In this day where information is readily available on the internet, it would be best if you can research your own doctor as much as possible including the ailment that you think you have. This way you are armed with the information about your condition and shoot all the questions you have when you go to see your doctor. Evaluate your doctor by the way he/she answers your questions. Try to test and shoot questions that you already know what the answer is and let him/her explain. His explanation will be your best tool to evaluate your doctor. Remember that doctors are humans, we are educated to treat but just like anything else in life, we are not created equal, so do your homework.

2. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: It is the patients' right to ask and be enlightened. Some doctors get defensive when questions are asked of them. Professionals and properly trained docs should not feel insecure and should properly answer all questions asked of them....it is the patient's right to ask and be educated.

3. SECOND OPINION MATTERS: A second opinion from another health care professional couldn't hurt especially in major health decisions. Some doctors feel bad when their patients seek another doctor for a second opinion to the point of reprimanding the patient and this to me is not only wrong but absolutely unacceptable.  Doctors are humans and therefore can sometimes make mistakes so he/she must not feel bad if their patients seek other opinions. It is not  the doctors' decision to make but yours and yours alone. You as the patient should demand the place that is rightfully yours.......that's the drivers' seat.

4. ASK AROUND: There are places where doctor's information maybe quite scarce. Try to be resourceful and ask around,  colleagues, close friends, a neighbor, or maybe from the hospital personnel where the doctor works and get their overall evaluation as to who would be the best for your condition. The information you get may not necessarily be right but, at least you can have a start off point to do further research!

5. YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR:  Personally just like anything else in life, if I need to purchase an item and I have no clue what is the best? The price is generally a good guide, the more expensive the better it must be and  while this is true to most it is not a 100% guarantee that you will like what you get.  In medicine, this dictum  has it's own validity as well, " You get what you pay for". Remember that "Health is wealth", don't settle for anything less. I remember one patient telling me this same quote and I just burst into laughter nodding in agreement.

At the end of the day, after your visit you as a patient you and you alone can judge whether your doctor is the one that will be best for you.