Doctors’ appointments can be nerve-wracking enough, so it’s important that you like and trust your physician. When medical problems arise, you may have questions about your symptoms and wonder if your physician is the right person to help you.
Trusting Your Provider
Having a patient’s trust is one of the most valuable traits a doctor can exhibit. Sometimes it starts with the first visit, and other times it takes time to build. Trusting that your provider has your best interests at heart can be the deciding factor in the speed at which you recover. Trust is important in a doctor/patient relationship because there are so many things that can go wrong. You want to trust your healthcare provider to diagnose your ailment correctly and to prescribe medications or other treatments in the correct dosage specifically for you to be able to improve your diagnosis. Your provider can build trust by giving you time to discuss your worries and really listening to you when you explain.
Weighing Opinions
It is common for people to have more than just a primary care physician in this world of medicine being so specific. When you go in for a physical, you will now probably see multiple medical personnel by the time your physical is complete depending on your health issues. It’s recommended to get a second opinion. This is more relevant to major illnesses than a quick check-up. It can give you peace of mind though to seek out more than one opinion in light of all of the aspects of medicine and the fact that one person does not have all the answers.
How Knowledgeable Are They About Your Illness?
Don’t be afraid to question your physician about his or her knowledge of your problem. You have a right to be treated by someone who knows what they are doing. How many times has he performed this surgery? What is the overall success rate? What are your options? Make an appointment specifically to sit down and discuss your diagnosis and treatment with her. If you feel uncomfortable and that you are not being heard or taken seriously, you are within your rights to change to another provider.
Your relationship with your doctor is one of the most important relationships outside of your family. You deserve to have someone you can trust and who respects your needs as a valued patient.
Did your doctor mess up? Click here for the steps you need to take!