Things to Look for in a Primary Care Physician
Finding the right doctor is tough. When you have a primary care physician that you’ve spent years with. You create a bond with that person. That doctor knows your health inside and out. It’s such an intimate knowledge of you, that it is almost like being in a relationship. And like any good relationship, you want to make sure your doctor is attentive to your needs. The last thing you want from any doctor is for them to roll in, throw you a prescription, and then leave. But now begs the question. How can you tell what kind of doctor somebody is just by a couple of interactions? How can you make sure they’ll listen to you when you bring up a concern? Instead of just talking right over you, while they advise you about a health issue you didn’t even come in for. Well, the short answer is that aside from being psychic you won’t be able to be sure of what your doctor is thinking. But if you follow this guide, and pay attention to a couple of certain behavioral patterns. You’ll know exactly what kind of care you’re getting.
Overweight, Over the Issue
This first entry in our guide is mostly for our overweight readership. You see, if you’re someone who is considered overweight then you know. Most doctors will only focus on your weight when you come in for a checkup. Now, I want to make it clear that I am not advocating any stigma. I am merely trying to acknowledge that most doctors are not friendly to their overweight patients. You can see your primary care specialist because you had your arm cut off and they will still tell you to try to drop 30 pounds. I think it goes without saying that if you are overweight and your physician is that type of person. Then it’s best to drop them off immediately. But this advice stands for our skinnier readers as well. If you notice your doctor talking to one of their other patients condescendingly due to their weight. That is a red flag, that your doctor will not be attentive to your needs.
In and Out
Something I find incredibly common in the medical field is that some doctors have an in-and-out policy. That means they go in to see the patient, spend exactly 20 seconds diagnosing your problem, and then they go out to see the next one. Now, this is a problem caused by a lot of things. For one the overtaxing of the American healthcare system has created a shortage of doctors. This means that a single doctor has more patients. And more patients of course equals less time they have to give to you. But even so, I find that the right doctor will sit beside you, hear your concerns and make the extra effort. Now some people may call this good bedside manner. But to me, it’s more than that. It’s a symbol that they are willing to go the extra mile for their patients. That they are willing to connect with you on a human level to try to help heal you. If your doctor is willing to do that, chances are they’re a keeper.
When choosing a new doctor, it can be a little scary. If you aren’t a person who falls under a strict umbrella of health, most doctor visits can seem like they’re just a trip to go get lectured by a person you’ve never met. Whether it be a doctor condescending to you about twenty extra pounds you put on. Or one that you can’t seem to get to give you the time of day. It can be a spectacularly difficult thing to have to constantly advocate for yourself. Especially to someone who is ostensibly trying to help you. Even if you find yourself at an urgent care lexington ky you deserve to be treated with the utmost respect. That’s why when you go to a new doctor, I implore you to size them up for all they’re worth. If they wish to condescend to you that’s fine, just put in a formal complaint with them to the hospital and never see them again. You do not deserve that. When you’re going to see someone who is supposed to take care of your health. You deserve only the kindest people to tell you how to get better. This isn’t football practice and you are well within your rights to take any ‘tough love’ your doctor wants to dole out and tell him where to stick it. If your doctor is not someone who you feel that you can rely on and confide in. Then put simply they are not the doctor for you.
