5 Questions to Ask When Looking for a Personal Doctor
When the time to select a personal physician comes, confidence and trust are very crucial for an effective doctor-patient relationship. But choosing a new physician can be an uphill task, especially now, that every medical practitioner refers to him/herself the best.
To help you identify the right personal doctor, here are the top five questions that you should ask.
What are the Doctor’s Medical Qualifications and Experience?
When you fall ill, you want to be attended to by the most qualified physician.
The minimum requirements for a doctor include training in a medical school, internship, and residency in the area of practice. In addition to education, you also need to know the experience that the doctor has amassed over the years. So, what certifications should you check?
- Board certification.
- Teaching in medical school.
- Special areas of interest.
- Participation in studies/ clinical trials.
What Accredited Facility does the Doctor Use?
While your focus is on the doctor of interest, it is important to appreciate that some of his work is done by support medical staff. For example, if you need surgery, the doctor will need assistance from the staff in his facility of practice.
Therefore, it is vital to look for a doctor with equally qualified staff. So, does the facility have the right facilities and qualified support staff?
What Method of Communication does the Physician Use?
How a physician communicates with patients is crucial in determining their relationships.
The ideal doctor-patient relationship depends on how the patient wants to be involved in making the healthcare decisions.
It also depends on how open the doctor is (CBD can help?). Here are the common types of relationships:
- Some doctors communicate with their patients directly by telling them what to do. This includes providing information such as the medication to use. This method is preferred by people who want the doctor to make most decisions.
- Other medical practitioners opt to provide several recommendations and selecting one of the options for the patient. For example, a doctor can give the patient the option of cutting sodium in his diet or using medication to reduce blood pressure. But strongly recommend using medication.
- The last type of communication is where the doctor provides different treatment options and highlights the pros and cons of each. The doctor then leaves the patient to pick the preferred choice.
How Does the Doctor Handle Phone Calls?
Because you are dealing with a personal doctor, there are instances when you will need to make a call for inquiries or clarification.
In many cases, doctors do not take calls when they are with other patients.
In such cases, they relegate the duty to their assistant physicians or nurse on duty. In other cases, the doctors might prefer to reply to inquiries via emails.
What Happens if You Need to Be Attended to on Short Notice?
If you suddenly fall ill, find out whether it is possible to make a last-minute appointment.
In such cases, many doctors have other physicians to address urgent appointments, such as emergencies. In such a situation, you should know the new medical practitioner in order to build stronger relationships.
If you are out looking for a new personal doctor in Melbourne, Australia, or abroad, it is important only to select a professional you can trust. Going for the best medical practitioner is your gateway to better health.
