How well do you take care of yourself? Do you go to the doctor for well-visits, med-checks, and when you're not feeling quite right? If you don't go to the doctor when you should, you're putting your health at risk. Here, you'll find some information that can help you decide if it's time to find a new primary care doctor to meet your medical needs.
Communication Is Key
Do you feel comfortable enough with your primary care doctor to tell him or her everything that you're experiencing? If you don't feel comfortable communicating with the doctor, or the doctor doesn't make the time to discuss your concerns and needs, it's time to start looking for a new primary care doctor.
This is your first line of defense against health issues. You need to feel comfortable enough with the doctor and his or her staff to tell them exactly what's going on in your life, no matter how embarrassing you may feel that it is.
Confidence in Treatments
Have you lost confidence in the treatments that your doctor has prescribed? If you've ever felt that you're not getting the care that you need, or that the treatments are unnecessary, it's time to check in with a different primary care doctor. You must feel confident in your doctor's medical opinion and treatment plans. If there is any reason to doubt that you're receiving the treatment that you need or that you don't need the treatment that you're receiving, schedule a new patient visit with a different primary care doctor to discuss your situation and the treatment plan that you're currently following.
Availability
When you have questions or need an appointment, are you able to contact the office and get the advice that you need to go on with your day? Some offices are so busy that it can take several hours, if not days, to get a response. Your doctor's office should be available to you when you need help. If not, it might be time to start looking for a practice that isn't overbooked and understaffed.
It is up to you to make the decision to leave your current doctor, and it might not be an easy decision to make. Hopefully, the above information will help you come to an easier decision and begin getting the care that you need to treat the ailments that you suffer from today and many years into the future.
