Your doctor is a very important figure in your life, no matter the status of your health. Whether you have chronic illnesses that require constant attention, or you rarely visit the doctor, you need to know that your GP (General Practitioner) is there for you when you need them the most.
Finding a doctor you trust takes time. While we all want to intrinsically trust doctors, sometimes your current GP just isn’t a good fit for you.
Let’s take a look at three ways to tell if your doctor is right for you!
- Your communication styles match
Doctors all have the same amount of training in order to be qualified, but that doesn’t mean they are all the same. Doctors are only human after all, meaning that their ways of communicating to their patients will vary based on their personality.
Some doctors communicate bluntly and directly, getting straight to the facts, while others have a more measured, empathetic approach. Whichever style suits you, you should make sure that the doctor you see regularly can communicate in a way that makes you feel comfortable. Visiting the doctor is a vulnerable situation, meaning that you want to be treated in the way you would treat others in that scenario.
- Your doctor is up to date on your conditions and is ready to listen
If you have specific health concerns, such as endometriosis or PCOS in women, you might want to find a general practitioner who has specialized knowledge of these conditions. It can help to feel as if you are in the presence of a true expert, although of course, all doctors are highly trained to deal with a wide range of health issues.
In addition, if your doctor is not fully aware of all your symptoms or side effects, it is good to know that they are ready to listen to your experiences. Ultimately, your visits with your doctor and the subsequent treatment should be a collaborative effort; your ideal doctor should listen to you and your concerns with care.
- You feel comfortable opening up about your concerns.
Speaking of listening, it is crucial that you feel comfortable opening up to your doctor about any and all health concerns you have. Some of these could be a little embarrassing to discuss, so having a GP who you trust to listen empathetically is very important. There is no point in visiting a doctor if you are going to conceal your true concerns.
Have you had a problem with your doctor?
As we said before, doctors are human – meaning that they occasionally make mistakes that could have dire consequences. If you have had an issue with your doctor, you should learn more about legal action or the complaints process before you act.
To sum up…
If you are considering switching doctors to someone who suits you better, why not use this guide to help you find a doctor whose personality and expertise match your needs? If you have had issues with your doctor, click the above link (learn more) to find help on this subject!
Thank you for reading!
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