Today’s health care system is a lot different from the past. Doctors had time to sit with their patients learn a little bit about them listen to their concerns and give them a clear explanation what was wrong with them, and how they were going to treat it.
In today’s model doctors have to see more patients in less time just to cover their costs. I hear it from patients all the time, they go to the doctor, they feel rushed through and have more questions coming out then going in. They end up going online to find out what is going on with them and figure out what the doctor said. Web MD should not be your primary care doctor. I tell patients all the time you have to be your own health advocate.
What does that mean? You should be prepared with questions going into your appointment, write them down if you have to. Make sure you get a clear answer and on that make sense to you. If you have questions after you should feel comfortable to call the office and leave a message for the doctor, so you can have your questions answered. It may take a day or two, but no longer than that.
Find out what's happening in Cranfordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
There are times in my own office where I need extra time with a patient, or they ask a question I do not know the answer to, in both cases I will let the patient know I will call them when I am done with patient hours and they can have as much time as they need. You have to feel like your doctor has an interest in you and is concerned about your well being.
Talking to my patients I know there are many who do not feel that way, and I tell them its time to find a new doctor. There are many great primary care doctors and specialists in this area. Talk to your friends and family they should be a great referral source. Getting and staying healthy takes two people, you and your doctor. Make sure you are both doing your job; it’s what the doctor ordered!
