Warning Signs You Should Consider Finding a New Doctor

To ensure optimal healthcare, it's important to have a trusting and effective relationship with your doctor.

If you feel disrespected, dismissed, misunderstood, or judged in your doctor’s office, it can be a big problem. Unprofessional or dismissive doctors are not only frustrating, but they can contribute to health problems. For example, if they miss or overlook important symptoms, ignore your concerns, or fail to perform thorough evaluations, it could be dangerous. Unprofessional office management can cause problems with insurance companies and other people who use an NPI number lookup. Here are some signs that your doctor may not be the best fit for you:

Poor Communication

One of the first signs that your doctor isn’t the best one for you is if you develop a pattern of poor communication. For example, if you feel that your doctor doesn't listen to your concerns or dismisses them without proper explanation, you might not feel like you can trust them. 

You should also be concerned if your doctor continually uses medical jargon without explaining it in a way you can understand, especially if you repeatedly ask them to be more clear and they don’t change the way they explain things. It’s vitally important for you to communicate well with each other to avoid mistakes with medications and misunderstandings about treatments and diagnoses. 

Finally, if your doctor always rushes through appointments and doesn't give you enough time to ask questions, you might not gain a thorough understanding of your conditions and your doctor might easily miss something important.

Lack of Empathy

It could be a red flag if your doctor shows a lack of empathy or understanding toward your physical or emotional concerns. While personality differences can always come into play in any interpersonal relationship, your doctor should make an effort to help you feel understood and cared for. 

You should also be concerned If your doctor doesn’t take your lifestyle or personal circumstances into account when recommending treatments. Lifestyle and circumstances can play a huge part in overall health and well-being, and your provider needs to learn everything they can about this part of your life.

Limited Availability

If you feel like it’s hard to see your doctor or that they’re always unavailable, it might be a problem. While many doctors are very busy and try to see as many patients as possible, they shouldn’t always have trouble finding availability. If it's consistently difficult to schedule appointments, or you often have to wait a long time to see your doctor, it can have negative effects on your health. This is especially true for people with urgent or chronic health needs. Your medical provider should be accessible for urgent matters, whether by phone or emergency appointments. 

Overemphasis on Medication

Dependence on medication alone can be a sign of a problem. If your doctor consistently prescribes medications without being willing to explore alternative treatments or discuss lifestyle changes, they might not be providing you with the best treatment. In many cases, there are lifestyle changes and treatments that can reduce or eliminate the need for medications, which usually come with uncomfortable and potentially dangerous side effects. 

Your doctor should also adequately explain the purpose and potential side effects of prescribed medications, and if they downplay your concerns about side effects, it could be a problem. 

Lack of Thoroughness

Your medical provider should be very thorough when diagnosing conditions and performing examinations. If you feel that your doctor doesn't conduct thorough examinations, order necessary tests needed to understand your condition, or if you feel like every appointment is rushed, you might want to consider finding a new doctor. Also, if your doctor doesn’t follow up on test results or fails to communicate those results to you in a timely manner, or if you have to call repeatedly to find out results, you might not be getting the best medical care. 

Dismissive Attitude

You should never be treated in an offhand way or have your concerns routinely dismissed without a proper evaluation or explanation. Make sure that your doctor is listening to you and considering what you have to say. Also, if your provider downplays the severity of your symptoms or doesn't take your medical history seriously, it could have a big impact on your ongoing health. Remember, you shouldn't have to fight to have your opinions and concerns noticed.

Poor Organization

If your doctor’s medical office seems to have poor organization, it can be frustrating. For example, if your medical records are disorganized, there's a lack of coordination in your healthcare management, your doctor forgets important details about your medical history, or fails to review your chart during appointments, there could be an organizational problem. Poor organization in a medical office can have a negative impact on your health, especially if it means important things are getting missed.

Lack of Respect for Your Time

Your medical provider should respect your time. While medical offices and clinics are often very busy and frequently get behind throughout the day due to circumstances out of their control, it shouldn’t be a chronic problem. If appointments consistently start late or you spend a significant amount of time waiting in the office it can be a sign of a problem.

Resistance to Second Opinions

You should always feel confident in your diagnosis and treatment and seek a second opinion when needed. If your doctor discourages seeking a second opinion or dismisses the idea without providing a valid reason, they may not be an ethical medical providers. For example, they may fear losing out on your business or they may not be confident in their diagnosis and fear being exposed. Your doctor should also be ready to collaborate with other healthcare professionals when needed.

Unprofessional Behavior

Finally, it should go without saying that your doctor should be a professional. If your doctor exhibits unprofessional behavior, such as rudeness, impatience, or a lack of confidentiality, don’t accept this treatment. You should never feel disrespected, in danger, or dismissed while in your provider’s presence or while in their office.

Conclusion

While all people, including medical professionals, can experience a bad day, don't immediately dismiss your concerns or ignore your gut feeling. If you experience several of these signs, it may be worth considering finding a new doctor who better aligns with your needs and values in healthcare. Remember that a positive and open doctor-patient relationship is crucial for effective medical care.