Carolyn Spence Cagle PhD, RNC-E
Recently several of my friends shared disappointment in their health care management by their primary care doctor (PCP). Listening carefully, I reflected how lucky me and my husband are to have a female internal medicine doctor (also a PCP) employed in the health care system we use. The reality is each of us demands a doctor who meets our standards for cost, quality, and access. Like many relationships, we benefit from a doctor-patient relationship based on trust and assurance that our doctor will humanistically and efficiently manage our health concerns, medications, and referral to other doctors to address our health care needs.
My friends’ concerns about their PCP drove me to consider factors that may define whether one leaves or stays with their PCP or other doctor after an experience of unsatisfactory care. Granted it is a difficult time for all providers: managed care networks dictate requirements for provider care delivery, health care costs continue to rise, staffing shortages remain post-COVID, and there is uncertainty about health care changes in the current political environment. Think about how emotionally fatiguing it must be for a doctor to see 20 patients with concerns in a day/ Being sensitive to these factors may soften some of your concerns when experiencing an unsatisfactory care visit.
Here are warning signs that may define whether you stay or choose another doctor, despite their education, record or skills:
- Your PCP (your health care gatekeeper) does not coordinate with other doctors you use; the importance of care coordination cannot be understated; all doctors under your care need to know your health situation and show willingness to work together for your health.
- You feel ignored when providing health information to your PCP: a quality doctor respects you by listening to you and serving as your care partner; by asking you questions about your concern, the doctor uses your experience and beliefs to resolve a health issue.
- You feel like the doctor is “wedded” to the computer: your computer record identifies valuable information about your health history to lay a care foundation. BUT a good doctor connects with you by using all senses to provide the best care.
- Your doctor’s approach does not help your health: do you need a second opinion, outside your doctor’s practice for an unbiased perspective, to determine a better resolution to your health concern?
- Your doctor is too busy to see you: waiting an indeterminate time to see your PCP shows a lack of empathy for your health issue and devalues you; I have found seeing the nurse-practitioner in my PCP’s practice, who advocates for a sooner than later PCP visit, helps gain a timely appointment.
- You have a personality conflict: This situation erodes your trust in the doctor and needs severed.
- Your doctor does not educate you: good doctors promote your health by providing information and resources relevant to your health concern; at least a recommendation for information seems appropriate.
- You find I hard to be honest with your doctor: to provide quality care, your doctor needs to know all relevant information for your concern; a trusting relationship with your doctor means you will follow their recommendations and keep appointments for better care outcomes.
- Your doctor bullies you or shows aggressive behavior toward you: this is a “no brainer” for me: find another doctor who responds to you as a care partner, shows generosity for you total well-being, speaks in understandable language, and values your input.
References cited:
Fuehrer, S., Weil, A., Osterberg, L.G., Zulman, D.M., Meunier, M.R., & Schwartz, R. (2024, January). Building authentic connection in the patient-physician relationship. Journal of Primary and Community Health, 15:215001319231225996. doi: 10.1177/216501319231225996.
Thompson, H. (2018, January 19). 9 signs you should fire your doctor. Next Avenue. Retrieved from https://www.nextavenue.org/?s=9+signs+you+should+fire+your+doctor$sort=relevance.