Here are six signs that it’s time you fire your doctor:
He or She Doesn’t Listen To You.
A good doctor should listen to you without interrupting, should answer your questions, and should make you feel like your opinion matters. A good doctor-patient relationship comes down to communication - and listening is key. Because, with many conditions, a correct diagnosis comes down to picking up on the smaller, seemingly unrelated symptoms. It’s important that your physician let you speak and ask you questions to follow up or get clarification. If your doctor is rude of condescending, or if he or she trivializes your concerns, it’s a definite sign that you have to say adios.
Doctor Dos:
Good doctors listen actively, answer questions, and take the time to make the patient feel comfortable, whether discussing a new medication or a medical procedure.
Doctor Don’ts:
Bad doctors cut us off mid-sentence, often answering the wrong question because they assumed they could anticipate what the patient is asking. In a worst-case scenario, a doctor that leaves the room while you’re still talking needs to be cut from your life.
He or She Doesn’t Respect Your Time
Do you find yourself spending twice as long in your doctor’s waiting room as you do in the exam room? When your doctor finally sees you, does he or she rush through the appointment like you’re a cog on an assembly line that she has to check quickly before moving on to the next patient? Some wait times are inevitable, especially when a doctor has to fit in a sick patient, and this can be a good sign: it’s much easier to wait when you’re well than when you’re feeling ill. And you’re less likely to come in contact with lurking illnesses in waiting rooms when sick patients are taken back quickly. However, some doctors are habitually late for appointments, and then don’t take the time to address our concerns or treat patients as individuals. That’s yet another sign that it’s time to move on. If you’re evaluating a prospect, check out his or her timeliness by checking out the Ideal Medical Practices Organization website at http://impcenter.org.
Doctor Do’s:
Good doctors minimize wait times and take the time to speak with you, answer questions, and make you feel like they understand you. Their bedside manner clearly sends a message that you are being heard and that you count.
Doctor Don’ts:
Doctors who are chronically late and then spend only a few minutes meeting with you are a cause for concern. The same goes for doctors who cut you off mid-conversation or wrap up your questions before you’re ready and make it clear that they’re anxious to leave.
He or She Keeps You in the Dark.
A good doctor should be open and explain to you why a certain treatment or test is necessary. He or she should be prompt about sharing results with you and providing you with next steps, prognosis, and answers to your questions. Some doctors have the habit of drawing blood or running tests without explaining to the patients what they’re doing or what the tests could mean. You also want to find a doctor who uses terms you understand, rather than complicated medical lingo, so that you truly comprehend more than every third word. You should never walk out of a doctor’s office feeling confused and turn to the internet to understand what just happened. In many cases, it's adding insult to injury -- the internet can be a very scary place when researching medical tests, medications or procedures.
Doctor Do’s: Good doctors are open and thorough in explaining why they’ve ordered tests or prescribed a new medication, and they take the time to make sure you understand and have your questions answered.
Doctor Don’ts: Bad doctors order a series of tests or draw blood without explaining to you what they’re checking for, and expect that you’ll just comply.
The Office Staff Are Rude or Unprofessional
Receptionists are the heart of the medical practice. They book appointments, leave messages for doctors, and manage paperwork. If you find yourself calling over and over to speak with your doctor about a side effect you’re experiencing with your new medication, or if there are repeated issues with appointments, it may be a sign that you need to start shopping for a new doctor. Even if you love your doctor and he or she makes you feel comfortable, inept office staff could put you at risk in an emergency by failing to pass on a message or mixing up paperwork in charts.
Doctor Do’s: Good doctors take pride in hiring warm, friendly, and organized office staff to ensure that his reputation is taken care of.
Doctor Don’ts: Bad doctors make poor hiring choices or keep on staff that regularly make mistakes.
You Don’t Mesh.
Doctor-patient relationships are as individual as any of our personal relationships. If you’re looking for a doctor who will support your natural lifestyle and work with you on health, diet and lifestyle solutions whenever possible, then a doctor who is quick to prescribe medications is not a good fit for you. If you value a warm bedside manner, you won’t feel comfortable disclosing the intimate details of your medical concerns with someone who is cold, distant or appears indifferent. Likewise, if you don’t feel comfortable around your doctor, or if you wonder about the decisions he’s making with your health, it’s time to call it quits.
Doctor Do’s: The doctor that’s a good fit for you will share your views on medicine, whether you're interested in exploring alternative treatments when possible or giving you the warm interaction you need to open up.
Doctor Don’ts: If your doctor pushes pills when there are other options, and without explanation, or if your doctor is cold and seems not to genuinely care, you may want to move on.
Like any relationship, cutting ties with your physician can be a difficult decision. In some cases, it could mean the difference between life and death. So choose carefully.