In his article for Huffington Post, Dr. Peter Rost says that no one should trust their doctor blindly today. It’s sad, but it’s also true that the majority of healthcare professionals today are businessmen first and doctors second. Therefore, instead of taking your diagnosis and prescription on blind faith, you should consider double-checking it. In the meantime, look out for the signs that indicate you should fire your doctor right now.
1. Your intuition is throwing up red flags
By its very definition, intuition is an ability to know or understand something without having a verifiable reason for it. And while it’s true that sometimes your intuition might be wrong, it’s better to be safe and double-check in this particular case.
So, if your gut tells you that this person shouldn’t be trusted, you should get a confirmation of your diagnosis from a different doctor. Also, if you and your current doctor can’t seem to get along on a personal level, such as when you don’t feel comfortable with them and therefore can’t open up, you should change to a different professional right away.
2. Whatever treatment they prescribe only seems to make things worse
Even the best doctors can make mistakes and, admittedly, many health conditions are extremely hard to diagnose. However, none of this can be used as an excuse for making the patient’s condition worse. In fact, if this happens, you might have a case of medical malpractice on your hands and it might be a good time to contact a lawyer.
Of course, you shouldn’t let the situation get so bad that your health starts to deteriorate from incorrect treatment. Therefore, the first signs to look out for are:
- The lack of positive changes.
- The absence of concrete diagnosis.
- Your doctor sending you out to do new tests every time.
- Changing prescriptions and treatment plans constantly.
All in all, if it looks like the doctor doesn’t really know what they are doing, you should be wary. A trustworthy professional should refer you to other doctors at this stage. At the least, they should be able to offer some recommendations.
3. They appear more a sales rep than a doctor
If your doctor’s visit ends up being a marketing presentation of various supplements/drugs/medical procedures/etc., you should be looking for a different professional. It’s true that this particular doctor might be highly skilled in their field, but if they are spending more time trying to sell you products, you can’t be sure that the treatment they prescribe you actually is in your best interests.
Please note, there’s nothing wrong with doctors partnering with various pharmaceutical companies. But they must remain professional about it and prioritize the patient over commissions. Sadly, this doesn’t seem to be the case as reports show doctors partnered with pharmaceutical companies prescribe more of their products even when there are cheaper alternatives.
4. Your doctor doesn’t answer questions
You might not be a medical professional and therefore unable to understand professional jargon. However, it’s your doctor’s duty to explain your condition and treatment in ways you can understand. And this means that they have to answer any questions you have about any tests and medical procedures you have to go through.
If the doctor evades or outright declines to answer your questions, you should start looking for a replacement. This behavior doesn’t, necessarily, mean that they don’t know what’s wrong with you or trying to leech off your money. However, it’s a sign that they aren’t as professional as this kind of position demands.
5. Your doctor ignores your opinion
If your doctor doesn’t listen to what you have to say, you definitely should go to someone else. It doesn’t matter why exactly these communication issues occur. The point is that without mutual respect and understanding you won’t be able to even convey your symptoms properly. Therefore, you won’t be able to work productively together.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kate Bregovic is a wife, mother, freelance writer, and fitness enthusiast. She covers many topics – from business management trends to fitness regimes. When she’s not writing, she’s planning outdoor activities for her family, cooking, or working out at the gym. Follow her on Facebook: Follow her on Facebook: https://www.
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