The relationships we make during our lives are many, and many of them for life, but one relationship could mean life or death. The relationship you have with your physician.
Dissatisfaction is the number one reason patients dump their docs. It's also a reason Dr. Donald Brake says a doc can dump you.
"There are patients that you just don't do well with, and you just can't see to come across with. Fortunately it's rare," Dr. Brake said.
During office visits, you should have your doctor's undivided attention.
"Unfortunately, there seems to be a lot of doctors who don't give good personal interest in their patients," Dr. Brake noted.
And those visits should last at least 15 minutes, depending on why you are there.
"I've had some who spend, you know like I said, not a lengthy time with you at all, and I've had others who've taken five, ten, 15 minutes, whatever time is necessary in order to deal with the situation," Dr. Brake pointed out. "I don't have a clock on the wall."
Not listening is another place where doctor's can get in trouble.
"Just look them in the eye and see what their needs are," Brake said. "He had to do a medicine change, kind of disagreed with it, and he took my opinion and we worked out something," Brake said of one of his patients.
When you have questions, does your doc take time to answer and make sure you understand the explanation?
Often it's not just your doctor you should consider in your evaluation, it's his staff too.
If you have trouble making an appointment, that should be a red flag because if you can't get in, you're not getting care.
"I do have patients who come up to the window sometimes, I don't turn them away. I say, 'Hey, if you can wait, iIll get you in. If I have patients backing up, I'll ask to tell them I'll be a little bit longer, if they can wait I'd appreciate it, if they can't then we'll reschedule," Dr. Brake said.
It's important to remember, part of the responsibility of care falls to you, and if you're not a good patient, you may never find the doctor who is just right for you.
If you do reach the point where it's time to dump your doctor, you may want to do some homework, if you have time, before finding a replacement.
If you want to check on your doctor's license status, we've made that easy for you to look up. Just click on the corresponding state below:
For Board Certification information for all 50 states, click here.
Recommended routine tests for women
Recommended routine tests for men
Something else to consider, many insurance companies allow patients to write reviews, so that's another way to feel out a new doc , before making that first appointment.
Copyright 2012 WFIE. All rights reserved.
