When complex health needs arise, it’s essential to have a trusted physician who can expertly guide you through the process of working with medical specialists. At the concierge medicine practice of Douglas Hilbert, MD, FACP, our patients benefit from a model of care built around personal attention, open communication, and proactive coordination.
As a board-certified internal medicine physician and Fellow of the American College of Physicians, Dr. Hilbert offers more than medical expertise — he provides a dependable point of connection between patients, specialists, and healthcare systems.
The Role of a Concierge Physician in Specialist Coordination
Concierge medicine enables prioritizing communication and continuity — two areas often overlooked in traditional healthcare settings. As a patient, this means you enjoy direct access to your physician and extended appointment times, which allow for deeper conversations with Dr. Hilbert about your needs and the specialists best suited for you.
When a specialist referral is necessary, Dr. Hilbert helps streamline the process by coordinating directly with the consulting physician, sharing relevant records, and ensuring each provider understands your health needs, goals, and medical history. This hands-on approach fosters more efficient, informed care and reduces the likelihood of treatment gaps.
Steps in the Specialist Referral Process
While each patient's needs are unique, referrals typically follow a few key steps:
- Evaluation and discussion – Dr. Hilbert reviews your condition, medical history, and preferences to determine whether a specialist consultation is appropriate.
- Referral and communication – Once identified, he shares pertinent records and test results with the specialist's office to ensure continuity and accuracy.
- Ongoing collaboration – Dr. Hilbert collaborates with the specialist and reviews the specialist's recommendations with you. He helps you understand test results and recommendations, and integrates those findings into your overall care plan.
This approach ensures every stage of the referral process is handled with professionalism, clarity, and compassion.
Maintaining consistent, coordinated care means you're never left to navigate the often-confusing and complicated healthcare system alone. Dr. Hilbert emphasizes patient education throughout this process, helping you understand your condition, available treatments, and how each specialist's expertise contributes to your broader health goals. This empowers you to make informed decisions and stay actively involved in your care.
Technology and Communication For Specialist Referrals
Technology plays an essential role in communication among healthcare providers. Our practice uses secure systems to efficiently share medical information while maintaining the strictest privacy and confidentiality standards. This ensures that the right details reach the right specialists at the right time without compromising patient trust or data integrity.
The Concierge Advantage For Specialist Referrals
Because Dr. Hilbert's concierge program limits patient volume, each person receives a higher level of attention and accessibility. You can communicate directly with Dr. Hilbert, receive same- or next-day appointments, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing your care is carefully managed, whether you're seeing one provider or several.
At only about five dollars a day, membership includes annual comprehensive physicals, wellness counseling, and ongoing coordination with trusted specialists in the San Antonio area. It's a model that prioritizes the doctor-patient relationship, ensuring care remains personal, informed, and continuous.
Coordinating Specialist Care in San Antonio
If you need trusted guidance for complex health needs, you deserve a physician who sees the big picture. Call 210-614-4000 to schedule your consultation with Douglas Hilbert, MD, FACP.
