Ten Signs That You Need a New Doctor: The decision to find a new doctor is actually harder than most of us might think. The relationship with a doctor is intensely personal, and it’s not easy to find the right match, especially when you’re limited by geography, HMOs, and insurance .
Many people also think that they feel a little intimidated by their doctors and, once with the doctor, do not feel that they have a right to change or worry that they will offend the doctor.
Remember a doctor-patient relationship, you are the client and the one who is providing a service. And if that service does not meet your needs, the best thing you can do for your health is to find the right one who meets your needs.
This is especially important when you have a chronic medical concern that keeps you coming back to your doc regularly. Your relationship with your doctor is the basis of your health and well-being. The wrong one can make it difficult, if not impossible, to return to optimal well-being and health.
How do you identify when it’s time for a new one? Here are some signs.
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Your Doctor Does not Answer Calls or Faxes
Are you leaving the message after the message, but not getting a return call for days?
Are you ending up several days without thyroid medication because your doc won’t approve a refill until you make an appointment?
Your Doctor is Unresponsive, Disorganized, or Rude
Are you ending up several days without thyroid medication because your doctor did not call a refill, despite your requests?
Are you finding out that office staff members are not getting their messages to the doctor?
Is office workers rude on the phone or in the office?
Does the office regularly make billing errors, overcharge you or loss of documents?
Have you ever applied for a scheduled appointment, just to say that there is no record of your appointment?
Your Doctor Eliminates the Internet as a Source of Information
Does your doc refer you to any information you bring from the internet?
Your doc thinks everything on the internet is silly junk, and told you?
Is the doc fully informed that the National Library of Medicine, most major medical journals, and literature from most professional medical organizations are on the Internet?
Your Doctor Doesn’t Want to Explore Your Ideas
When you present with a symptom or concern, does your doctor quickly assume it’s something like “age, hormones, and not getting enough sleep” and not explore other medical causes?
If you request a test for a particular condition, does your doctor say you “don’t have that condition,” and refuse to ask for a test?
If you have requested a different medication or a new medication for your condition, does your doctor refer you without a reasonable explanation?
Your Doctor is Interested in Selling Expensive Products or Services
Do you always leave your doctor’s office with bottles and jars of vitamins, supplements, powder and potions, and books, videos, or other materials that give you back several hundred dollars and that the one claims can only be obtained from him?
Does your doc regularly recommend remedies that only he or she sells?
Does your doc regularly recommend expensive treatments, provided in your office, that are not covered by your insurance?
Do you find surprises on your bill and charges that you don’t understand and can’t explain decently?
Your Doctor Does not Hear
Does your doctor come in and out of the exam room or office to make phone calls while you have an appointment?
Does your doctor sit at your desk and read, mail, or type on the computer when you’re having an appointment?
Do you find that your doctor is asking you the same questions over and over again, indicating that he or she does not remember what you said?
Your Doctor Does not See The Bigger Picture
Does your doc consult each appointment independently and not remember the symptoms or conditions you had in the past?
Is your doc unable to draw your chart and review your history for a few moments to look for symptoms?
Do you feel like your doc has never read your chart or your story?
Your Doctor is Influenced By a Pharmaceutical Company
Does your doctor have rugs, pens, pencils, prescription pastes, calendars, cups, patient information literature, wall charts and posters, and other paraphernalia with drug or pharmaceutical logos added to them?
Your doc refers to allowing you to switch to competent drug brands, but does not provide a rational reason other than “is this drug better?”
Your Doctor is Arrogant or Rude
Is your doctor one of the men or women who really believe they are “holier than you” and act accordingly?
Did your doctor make you wait for long periods of time, but never apologized for the delays or for waiting?
Your doc never said, “I don’t know the answer?”
Does your doc interrupt you or act impatient when you talk?
Does your doc always speak to you in a condescending or condescending way, as if you thought he wasn’t very bright or was a child?
Your Doctor is Not Your Partner in Wellness
Ideally, we want our doctors to diagnose and heal quickly, and sometimes this is the case. But there are times when your doctor may not be able to do it right. The best thing you can do is help minimize symptoms, optimize your health as best you can, or become more comfortable given a particular condition. A doctor who is your wellness partner will work with you to explore the situation, get the best possible diagnosis , explore treatments, fine-tuning treatments as needed, working collaboratively with you. A who is your partner will treat you with courtesy and respect, listen to you, and unite you into the decision-making process.
Always remember, of course, that there is no perfect one. A great one can have almost any quality you want, but be a little more expensive than you would like. Or you may have the best one, but he always runs late and keeps you waiting. Or the is so popular that he has a 4 month waiting list for routine appointments. You can’t wait for perfection!
But expect who will do his best on your behalf. You and your health deserve that.
