Missing from the smoldering health care debate are answers to how patients can obtain the best care from doctors inside the byzantine system hamstrung by red tape.

In her book, 'What your Doctor Wants You to Know, But Doesn't Have Time To Tell You, Virgie Bright-Ellington, M.D., who trained at the Cambridge Hospital of Harvard Medical School, tries to simplify the bewildering system, starting with explaining the importance of knowing the difference between primary care physicians and specialists. Look for weekly excerpts from the informative book here on the AOL Black Voices Wellness blog.

What's a Primary Care Physician-and Why Do I Need One? (Chapter 1)
It's important to know your doctor's field of specialty. Primary care physicians are internal medicine physicians (also called internists), family practice physicians, or pediatricians. They're generally the first doctors you see when you need health or medical care.

Internal medicine physicians specialize in the spectrum of disease that can occur in adults. Family practice physicians take care of adults and children. Pediatricians specialize in the medical needs of infants and children.

We need primary care physicians because they get to know us as a whole person: our families, habits, histories, and lifestyles, all of which impact our health and well-being. If you get sick, your primary care physician will be able to treat you quickly and effectively, and coordinate your care with specialists when necessary.
Choosing your primary care physician (PCP) is one of the most important choices you'll make in your lifetime; your health-and maybe your life-depends on your choice.

The quickest way to find a doctor with solid credentials is to call a university hospital's referral center. A university hospital or medical center is usually part of a medical school or teaching institution, which hires doctors who train other doctors. Attending doctors (fully licensed and trained physicians on staff) at teaching hospitals are often well regarded in their field.

Moral of the Story:
The quickest way to find a good doctor is to ask a registered nurse or bachelor of science in nursing. Make sure the doctors you choose are board certified in their fields.

Dr. Virgie Bright-Ellington is a graduate from the University of Michigan Medical School. She is a former clinical professor at New York University Medical School and a former instructor at Harvard Medical School, Youngstown State University and Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine.