You should feel comfortable communicating with your doctor, and he or she should empathize with you and plainly communicate what may be wrong.
But not every doctor-patient relationship is a good fit.
Angie Hicks says, “Deciding to switch doctors is a decision a lot of people don’t make easily because let’s face it, it’s a personal relationship. But in the last two years, 37 percent of Angie’s List members reported they have switched doctors and over half of them said that it was their decision.”
There are many reasons why patients feel it’s necessary to switch doctors; whether they don’t agree with the doctor’s bedside manner, treatment options, or it’s hard to get a hold of their doctor or get an appointment scheduled.
The bottom line is, if you don’t feel comfortable with your doctor, it’s time to move on.
According to the nationwide Angie’s List poll:
- 37 percent of respondents have switched their doctors (primary or specialty) within the last two years.
- Of those respondents, more than half said it was their choice to make the switch.
- Some of the reasons respondents switched doctors included: the physician didn’t listen/answer questions; the patient moved away from the physician’s office; the doctor’s bedside manner; the doctor’s treatment options; the patient felt rushed during appointments and long wait times and/or difficulty getting an appointment.
- When a patient switched doctors, 47 percent found a new one before they left the former physician.
- 68 percent did not explain to their former physician about why they were leaving.
Here are some tips to help you decide when it’s time to change doctors and steps on how to make the switch.
Angie’s List Tips: 5 Signs it’s time to switch doctors
- Your doctor doesn't listen: One of the most important aspects of being a good physician is listening to patients with compassion, empathy and interest. If you often feel talked down to, ignored or belittled in the office, you should start a new doctor search. Your physician should listen to all your concerns with patience and interest and carefully review any information you present, including articles from the Internet or medical journals.
- Your doctor is unresponsive: Your doctor's office should respond to your calls promptly. If you find yourself leaving numerous messages and waiting days for a response, you may need to start searching for a new physician. Also, you might start looking if your doctor requires an unnecessary visit before approving prescription refills, forcing you to go days without medication.
- The office is disorganized: Does your physician's office regularly make mistakes with billing, lose paperwork or overcharge you for services? Other warning signs include canceled appointments, scheduling mistakes, messages that never make it to the doctor, late refills or rude staff members.
- Your physician is not willing to explore your ideas: Patients should be partners in their own health care, and physicians should willingly consider their ideas. Although they may not agree, they should at least take your opinions seriously. When you voice a concern or bring up a symptom, the doctor should respond with interest and promptly explore medical causes. In the same vein, all changes in your medication should be thoroughly discussed instead of just prescribed by the doctor.
- Your physician is more interested in selling products than your care: Unfortunately, some doctors look at their practice as a way to sell expensive products or services. If your general practitioner routinely recommends treatments that are only available through his or her practice, or regularly recommends expensive treatments, take caution. You should never see any surprises on your bill, and if there are, they should be explained immediately and adequately.
Patient Libby McMullen had some trouble with her OBGYN during her son Greyson’s birth. Libby told us that during her son’s delivery she found her doctor to be rude and unwilling to address her concerns.
“I arrived at the hospital to be induced and that morning I get there and everything we had talked about and planned for my induction went out the window,” says Libby.
Libby affirms, “The bottom line is that you are the paying customer and you need to be comfortable and happy with who your provider is and you shouldn’t let embarrassment about switching stop you seeking out what’s going to work best for you and your family.”
If you are going to switch doctors, the most important thing is to find your new doctor ahead of time because it can be a little complicated whether it’s looking for someone who takes your insurance or has openings. You don’t want to be left in a lurch without a doctor.
Also, whether you decide to tell your existing doctor you are leaving is up to you. If you are comfortable it can provide some valuable feedback to that provider.
Angie suggests, “If you do decide you want to let your doctor know why your switching you can either
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