I have moved a number of times in the past few years, and with each new city comes new doctors. Some of these doctors have been wonderful and others have been downright terrible.
Recently, I was forced to wait nearly forty-five minutes in the office of a primary care physician whom I had never seen before, for an appointment that lasted approximately nine minutes, four of which were spent with the doctor.
Feeling rushed, neglected, or ignored by your doctor is not uncommon. According to a 2012 study published in the Annals of Family Medicine, the average primary care physician in the U.S. is responsible for approximately 2,300 patients. This number far exceeds what most practices can handle. So, visits are short and neglect is high. One Canadian and U.S. study found that doctors interrupt their patients, on average, within 23 seconds of the time the patient begins explaining his or her symptoms.
Choosing the right primary care physician for your needs is essential, but the process can be overwhelming if you are unsure where to start. There is a lot to think about–experience, health plans, online access, communication with patients and much more.
Do Your Research
Before you schedule and appointment with a doctor, make sure that he or she fits your criteria. Check out the practice’s web site, the M.D.’s online bio, or even schedule a telephone call with the office to ask some questions. While you probably will not be able to speak to the physician directly, a nurse, office manager or medical assistant should be able to answer your questions. If you’re looking for personalized assistance in finding the right doctor, consider using services like Craft Concierge to streamline your search process and ensure you find the best fit for your needs. Keep the following in mind:
- Is my insurance accepted?
- Is the doctor accepting new patients at this time?
- What days and hours are patients seen?
- Is the doctor available for telephone consults?
- Will the doctor answer email questions from me?
- What is the doctor’s policy regarding prescribing medication over the phone?
- Does the doctor practice alone, or as part of a group?
- How long must I usually wait for an appointment?
- Will I be seen right away if it is urgent?
Select & Assess
When you have chosen a doctor, schedule an appointment to review your medical history and address any immediate health concerns. This will give you the opportunity to decide if the doctor is the right fit for you. During your appointment, ask yourself the following questions:
- Do I feel comfortable talking to this person?
- Does the doctor understand my health concerns?
- Do I feel rushed or dismissed?
- Is the doctor taking time to explain things in detail?
Be Accountable
Once you have found a primary care doctor that you like, effective communication with that doctor starts with asking the right questions and maximizing the time that you have with him or her. Often, patients feel too nervous to ask bold questions. Offending your doctor should be your last concern. If it helps, write down a list of all the things you intend to discuss during your appointment, so you don’t leave anything out. After all, it is your time, your money and your health at stake. Your primary care physician should be someone who knows what is important to you, understands your medical history, and is someone you want to sustain a long-term relationship with.
If you like this post, please read other posts in the series on the Person-Centered HealthCare main page. And if you have a story to tell that may be a fit with our series, please comment below or email me at joan@socialmediatoday.com
(primary care doctor / shutterstock)
