Going to the doctor is still overwhelming for most of us. Whether we had unpleasant experiences with unprofessional staff or with discomfort levels during a check-up, these experiences can hinder our willingness to seek treatment.
The relationship between a patient and a doctor is highly underrated. It’s a collaboration based on trust, regard, and respect, in which patients are confident in their treatments, and the staff can do their job without judgment.
Patients want more than competency ―they seek human values like empathy and attentiveness. On the other hand, healthcare providers expect people to cooperate, accept care, and be able to make essential lifestyle changes, such as a healthier diet, to contribute to their treatment. If the two parties could communicate and understand each other’s perspective, there would be less distrust about the medical industry and fewer mistakes in diagnosis and treatment.
So, if you want to improve your health but are nervous to engage with doctors, here’s a brief guide on choosing the appropriate professionals.
Get recommendations from various sources
The first step is researching doctors in your area. You can ask your friends and family about their experiences with different healthcare providers and read blogs and social media posts about certain professionals.
While it’s not always faultless to ditch a doctor based on one or a few negative opinions, it’s best to consider them, especially if people have been the victims of medical negligence. Although there are options for patients to at least recover their finances through the help of Gary Matthews solicitors, make sure the doctor you found suitable hasn’t been accused of malpractice before contacting them.
Analyse insurance connections
Going to the doctor almost always involves an unexpected expense, which is why working with a physician whose network accepts your health insurance plan. You can check your insurance company’s website search tool to shrink the number of doctors available. However, as this might take some time, you can directly call the doctor’s office, and someone will guide you regarding your insurance plan and needs.
Unfortunately, insurance plans can sometimes limit your choices, which is upsetting, especially when you find a good doctor near you. In addition, the UK is now known for its flawed medical system. According to Statista, the NHS is challenged by a lack of staff, long waiting times, and insignificant investment.
Consider office hours and appointment times
If you found a few doctors who seem to be to your liking, it would be best to verify a few aspects before continuing. That’s because you must consider appointment hours in accordance with your daily school/work schedule. For example, check if the doctors take evening or weekend appointments. In some clinics, virtual check-ups are also available.
Get some opinions from previous patients on how long it might take to get an appointment so you’ll know the procedure in case of an injury or a sudden illness. Moreover, learn about the doctor’s availability to be found in different medical facilities, as it can happen for surgeries or other emergencies to affect its regular schedule.
Make a call
Sometimes, you can tell a lot about a clinic after a simple call and a few questions. Of course, it’s important to decide based on more factors, but this could give you an idea of how the medical staff handles patient requests. That’s why making a call at the clinic is recommended.
You could ask if the doctor takes new patients and see how they answer. If you’re provided with scarce information and need to push forward for the conversation, it might mean the staff is really busy or simply less interested. Consider asking about same-day appointments, annual screenings, or other information relevant to your medical condition.
Opt for an appointment
The final and best way to check out a doctor is to make a regular appointment and see how they act around you. Analyse their communication style and assess whether they can listen and answer your questions patiently without rushing you too much. In addition, be wary of getting interrupted or dismissed, as these are clear signs of a lack of professionalism.
A good doctor for your needs will make you feel comfortable so you can open up to them without fearing judgment. Sometimes, health conditions or concerns include sensitive and personal information, meaning you need to trust personnel to handle such necessary knowledge.
Consider your behaviour as well
Willingly or not, we all had our poor moments in which panic and concern took over manners, leading to displeasing treatment of medical staff. Sometimes, it can be excused and understood, but not all the time. Our engagement with the medical staff should be within the limits of mutual respect, and as long as they’re kind and understanding, there might be no reason to act out on them.
Being a good patient means being honest and truthful about your condition and your lifestyle. Avoiding the truth in fear of uncovering unhealthy lifestyle habits will not help you or your doctor. Usually, people start feeling nervous when their healthcare providers ask too many questions, so they might lash out.
Another thing to consider is your patience. We know you have a busy lifestyle, but so does everyone going to the doctor. So, respect other people’s appointments and don’t stress about waiting times, especially if they’re within 15 to 20 minutes. Unexpected situations or complex diagnoses always happen, so make sure to allocate more time for the appointment.
Were these tips helpful?
Collaborating with a doctor can sometimes be difficult for a patient. It’s often difficult to find someone who understands our pain and concerns, which is why choosing the right doctor is best for alleviating stress and navigating the problem more efficiently. So, when looking for a doctor in your area, check out their reviews, appointment schedule, and insurance details. A test appointment could also help determine if you can work together efficiently for the long term, as you directly engage with a physician.
