How do you know when you need to change your primary care doctor

If you’re here, you’ve probably wondered at least once if the primary care doctor you’re visiting is a match worth continuing with. Let’s be real – there are tons of reasons why one would (and sometimes should) question their doctor’s capabilities, quality, or overall dedication and professionalism. You don’t want to waste time with a doctor who’s not a good fit for you. So, have you encountered any of the following instances that might indicate that your doctor isn’t that good a doctor? 

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You’re prescribed meds prematurely

Who would’ve guessed? A list of medications isn’t always the cure you need. Many conditions need more in-depth evaluations, referrals to other doctors of specialty depending on the situation’s gravity, and a doctor who wants to find the root cause, not tick you off their list as if you’re some to-do task. However, the doctors who are quick to offer prescriptions before they even understand a problem completely are an all-too-common sight, unfortunately. A treatment is a serious move that can have effects on other bodily systems, and it must be the correct one in order to do more good than harm – which implies a thorough comprehension of the problem. 

A good thing would be to double-check your condition if you feel skeptical about a medicine prescribed by any doctor you may visit, without being paranoid. Let’s assume it’s safe to postpone the treatment a bit. Then take some time to study what you’ve been prescribed and use reliable resources. This doesn’t just apply to physical health issues, but can also include psychiatric problems. There are providers who might prescribe in the first three minutes of an appointment a medicine that’s not for the patient’s condition because they mistook their condition for another one, and following a plan that’s not appropriate for their true diagnosis can have lifelong consequences.

You’re just not understood 

Another common hurdle many patients confront is the inefficient, poor, or even nonexistent communication between them and their primary doctor. And this difficulty can take many forms, from a doctor who doesn’t listen to the patient’s problems, to interruptions in interactions, to lack of eye contact and to failure to come back to you with the information you need within a reasonable timeframe. Of course, the list is longer, and in your case, it should include pretty much everything that makes you feel like you’ve come all the way to them for nothing. 

Do you feel encouraged to open up even with sensitive matters? Do you feel like you’re in a safe space to discuss personal issues and experiences that would, in other contexts, draw criticism or trigger embarrassment? If the answer isn’t “Yes”, then we’re sorry to break it to you but you need to take a moment to reassess your collaboration. The health problems, challenges, and even curiosities that primary care doctors should deal with should all be debated freely, openly, and effectively – otherwise you might be just compromising your well-being. 

They constantly make it about themselves  

Primary care doctors are, at the end of the day, human beings with feelings and this means that they’re subject to speaking about their personal lives from time to time, when they feel like bringing up a topic (and when they have time). But if they’re constantly mentioning how they helped past patients heal, what wonders a drug worked on others, and similar examples which – importantly – are of no help or relevance for your situation, then what you’re doing might be a case of dealing with a self-absorbed person. No one should want to waste precious consultation time on irrelevant anecdotes, especially the doctor. If you feel like you’re there just to listen to them brag, vent, and maintain a monologue, that’s a clear sign you should start your search for a new doctor.

They’re rushing your appointment 

No one says a doctor appointment should last like a therapy appointment, but if you’re presented a cure before you even get to explain your symptoms, then your doctor might not be on the same page as you. Of course, these doctors can see dozens of patients every day and are responsible for even more, but it’s not uncommon for patients to feel like their appointment was rushed, inefficient, and ended too early for the impatience to be justifiable. It’s dishearteningly common to see patients stressing over instances like the following: 

• They weren’t informed of all their actual and potential treatment options
• They weren’t listened to correctly 
• They left more confused 
• Their health condition wasn’t identified. 

They don’t have the skills

A family doctor is great for common illnesses and checkups. When it comes to more complex or chronic conditions they might not possess the specialized training to manage such instances. If you have a complicated disease, metabolic problem, a big hormonal imbalance, etc., you need a physician who knows about the latest therapies.

A great primary care doctor realizes their limits and will connect you with the specialists you need. If your doctor is reluctant to refer you out or tries to manage a complex illness that’s clearly outside their expertise, they’re putting your health at risk. Visit a provider whose expertise matches your body’s real needs.

You’re given an attitude when mentioning another’s opinion 

A care provider who gets defensive when you mention you want to ask for a second opinion might actually suffer from a bruised ego instead of putting your needs first. This is also a frequent occurrence, but you need to realize that there are a few instances when such a reaction is justifiable. That would be when you’re short on time or when you’re actually neglecting the diagnosis you’ve been given. Otherwise, when it’s safe, needs like these should be respected, if not endorsed. 

Endnote

Oftentimes, to trust your gut is the best thing you can do when it comes to sensitive issues like the way you and a doctor resonate and can work together in your best interest. A mind that tells you that the doctor in front of your eyes isn’t the right match that the prescribed meds aren’t what you truly need is a sign you should consider other options.