Over 70% of adults find that the US healthcare system is failing them in some way. If you’re unhappy with your current doctor, there is a straightforward solution.
Switch to a new family care clinic.
Most likely, several others in your area can meet your needs. All you have to do is look for physicians in your network.
You can also ask those who you trust for their advice. Whatever doctor you choose, be sure to give them a call to interview them.
These are only a few things to keep in mind when you’re shopping around. Keep reading this guide to learn more.
What Does a Family Doctor Do?
Before you begin looking around for a new pediatric dr, it’s helpful to know what they do. While you may have some idea based on the services provided by your current physician, every office is different.
They are medical professionals that provide a wide range of routine services. Some of these are:
- Sick visits
- Preventive care
- Immunizations
- Pediatric care
- Lab studies
- Birth control
- Women’s services
- Annual physicals
On top of the services listed above, your family doctor can also write you a referral if you need to visit a specialist.
Choosing the Best Family Doc
Now that you know what family care specialists can do, it’s time to pick one that can fulfill your health needs.
Start by looking for doctors in your network. From there, you can narrow things down by getting referrals, visiting offices, making phone calls, and asking the right questions.
Look for Doctors in Your Network
You don’t want to pay for your healthcare services out of your own pocket. That’s why it’s essential to ensure a doctor takes your insurance before setting up your first appointment.
The easiest way is to make a quick phone call to ask the doctor directly.
You can also visit your insurance provider’s website. There you’ll find a list of doctors that are within their network.
If you don’t have insurance, ask the doctor if they take uninsured patients. If they do, find out how much it will cost you out of pocket to make an appointment.
Get a Referral
Chances are there are a lot of family doctors in your area that are within your insurance provider’s network. An excellent way to narrow them down is to ask the people you trust for their opinion.
Of course, you shouldn’t go with a specific doctor because your aunt Susan swears by them, but it’s a good start.
You can also talk to other healthcare professionals in your area or check out online reviews.
Shop Based on Your Needs
Different patients have different needs. You don’t necessarily need a specialist if you and your family are perfectly healthy. That means you can narrow your choice down based on convenience.
Choose the Family Medicine clinic closest to your home or child’s school. Some doctors will even do virtual visits for simple medical conditions such as colds.
However, if you have specific medical issues, you need to find a primary doctor that’s experienced in treating patients like you.
Some people have a gender preference when it comes to doctors, and that’s okay. If you’d feel more comfortable talking to a female physician, book an appointment with a female.
Where Are Procedures Going to Take Place?
Most doctors perform basic procedures like X-rays and lab tests in their office. This being said, some of them will send you to a different facility.
If these other offices are across the street from your primary family doctor, it’s one thing. It’s another thing if you’ll have to drive over an hour to get a simple X-ray.
Check the Internet
When you find a doctor you’re interested in, look up their clinic online. Review sites can tell you a lot about a physician’s character and expertise.
If you go on the family doctor’s website, you’ll likely see real patient reviews.
There is one thing you should keep in mind when reading reviews. Most patients often don’t bother speaking up unless they’ve had a very good or horrible experience.
Instead of taking a specific person’s word as law, look for patterns. For example, if ten people say that a doctor’s bedside manner could use some work, it probably could.
Ask About the Doctor’s Training and Expertise
Again, if you have a specific medical issue, it helps to choose a doctor that has experience treating people like you. It’s okay to ask a doctor about their particular area of specialization.
You can also delve a little deeper to find out what type of training they’ve received. Some doctors have this information on their website, but you would be surprised at the number of ones that don’t.
You also want to know how long your doctor has been practicing medicine. If they’ve been helping people for over five years, there’s a good chance that you can trust them with your health needs.
Call the Doctor
You can learn a lot about a physician’s office staff with a simple phone call. If the receptionist on the phone seems short or unwilling to answer your questions, that’s a bad sign.
Go Into the Office
If the staff seems friendly enough over the phone, ask about dropping in for a short office visit.
Pay attention to how you’re greeted. How long did it take for you to get called back to talk to the doctor after signing in?
What’s the environment like? If it’s too cold and clinical, your children may feel uncomfortable going.
Make Sure You’re Comfortable
You’ll have to talk to your doctor in depth about the things going on with your body. That’s not easy to do if you’re not comfortable with them.
If you get a bad feeling from a doctor after talking to them on the phone and visiting them in person, go with your gut and start your search over.
Signs You Need to Switch Doctors
Another step in choosing a new family doctor is determining if you need to move on from your old one.
After all, you’ve been going to them for years. What’s the point of going through the trouble of starting the search for a new physician?
You Can’t Communicate With Them
Every time you go in to talk to your doctor, it feels like you’re speaking to a brick wall. They never want to hear you out.
They ask you to explain your symptoms only to cut you off mid-sentence. After performing lab tests, they take weeks to get back to you.
They never make eye contact with you during your appointments, and they always fail to give you a moment to ask questions.
If you can relate to any of the above scenarios, your family doctor has trouble communicating.
They Don’t Have Respect for Your Time
You can’t always expect to see your doctor the day after you call to set up an appointment. That doesn’t mean you should have to wait almost a month.
Think about how long you typically have to sit in the waiting room before being called back. If it’s longer than an hour, switching to a doctor that respects your time might be time.
Their First Response Is to Write a Prescription
While the proper medication can help you feel better, writing you a prescription shouldn’t be your doctor’s first reaction.
They should listen to you as you list out your symptoms and run tests to make a formal diagnosis. If you need a prescription after that, so be it.
They Have No Bedside Manner
Even if your doctor is an expert in their field and never fails to prescribe the proper treatment for your every need, that doesn’t mean they’re the right doctor for you.
When you’re sick, the last thing you want to do is deal with a rude doctor making you feel worse. You deserve a physician who’s both knowledgeable and kind.
They Get Angry When You Say You Need a Second Opinion
You should be able to ask for a second opinion without your doctor acting like it’s a personal slight against them.
They should be willing to hear you out and set you up with a professional that can suit your needs.
Your Doctor Won’t Play Nice With Others
Most people have a list of specialists that they see on top of going to their regular family doctor.
When your physician changes your medical record or puts you on a new medication, they should share that information with the specialists you see. If they refuse, that will make things way harder for everyone involved.
Your Doctor Has Caused You Harm
Medical malpractice is a huge deal. If your doctor has caused you harm in any way, that’s a good enough reason as any to leave.
While everyone makes mistakes, if your doctor slips up, they should be willing to communicate that with you right away. If they don’t, it could put your health at risk.
How to Make the Switch
How do you leave a doctor that you’re no longer getting along with? It starts with using the tips listed above to find a new physician.
Find a New Doctor Before Leaving Your Current One
Don’t leave your current doctor until you have another one lined up. Make sure the one you’re trying to switch to is taking new patients.
You should also make sure the new one will take your insurance and that they meet your criteria.
Schedule a Final Visit With Your Physician
Once you find a new doctor, it’s time to schedule one last visit with your current physician. This is so you can let them know that you’re leaving and get a copy of your medical records.
You don’t owe your doctor an excuse for why you’re leaving, but in some cases, it’s better to tell them than not.
For example, if you have to switch doctors because your current one is no longer taking your insurance, letting them know will tell them that your choice of leaving isn’t their fault.
Even if your choice is related to something the doctor is doing wrong, it might be good to tell them. They can’t change if they don’t know they have a problem.
Get a Copy of Your Medical Records
Your new doctor will need a copy of your medical records. This is especially true if you have any chronic medical conditions.
Giving them your records before your first appointment will provide them with the chance to review them before you come in. That will make things go a lot smoother and faster.
Visit Your New Doctor
Your first appointment with your new doctor should be more introductory than anything. You’re mostly there to let them know who you are.
Schedule a simple physical. This will get the formalities out of the way so that when you’re actually sick, your doctor can focus all of their attention on that.
Find the Right Family Care Clinic for You
You may need to find a new family care clinic for a million reasons. Maybe your old doctor was bad for you and your children. Perhaps they were too far away.
Either way, the important part is finding a new physician that fits your needs.
We hope that you’re able to use the information you’ve read here today to kickstart your search. For more tips on finding the right doctor, visit the Health section of our blog.
