Introduction
If you’re looking for advice on how to trust your doctor, you’ve come to the right place. It’s important to trust your doctor, but it’s also important to be aware of any signs that may indicate that you should not trust your doctor. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the signs that you should not trust your doctor, and how to make sure you’re getting the best care possible. We’ll also provide some tips on how to find a doctor you can trust. So, if you’re looking for advice on how to trust your doctor, read on!
Signs You Should Not Trust Your Doctor
When it comes to your health, it’s important to trust your doctor. But there are certain signs that may indicate that you should not trust your doctor. Here are some signs that you should look out for:
- They don’t listen to you: If your doctor isn’t listening to your concerns or taking your symptoms seriously, it’s a sign that you should not trust them.
- They don’t explain things: If your doctor isn’t taking the time to explain your diagnosis or treatment plan, it’s a sign that you should not trust them.
- They don’t follow up: If your doctor isn’t following up with you after a visit or procedure, it’s a sign that you should not trust them.
- They don’t answer your questions: If your doctor isn’t answering your questions or providing clear answers, it’s a sign that you should not trust them.
- They don’t keep up with the latest research: If your doctor isn’t keeping up with the latest research and treatments, it’s a sign that you should not trust them.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to find a new doctor that you can trust. Your health is too important to put in the hands of someone you don’t trust.
Trust is an essential part of the doctor-patient relationship, and crucial when asking for help, advice, or treatment. “In addition to inflicting the most widespread and devastating medical harm of the past century, the COVID-19 pandemic has also damaged a less tangible aspect of our well-being: our trust,” says Adrienne Boissy, MD, MA, Chief Experience Officer at Cleveland Clinic Health System. “Trust in institutions and their leaders, trust in strangers we meet, trust in healthcare providers – all have been challenged. Restoring and strengthening this trust is essential for healthcare professionals, from small rural doctors’ offices to the largest healthcare systems.” Here are five signs you might need to switch to another healthcare provider. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
It can be difficult (if not impossible) to build trust with a doctor who is frequently rude or abusive.
“Disrespectful or derogatory language or conduct on the part of either physicians or patients can undermine trust and compromise the integrity of the patient-physician relationship. It can make members of targeted groups reluctant to seek care, and create an environment that strains relationships among patients, physicians, and the health care team,” the Code of Medical Ethics says. “Trust can be established and maintained only when there is mutual respect.”
If it feels like your doctor is not paying attention, advocate for yourself and speak up. “You should realize that you are the expert when it comes to your body, and the doctor is the expert when it comes to medicine,” says Leana S. Wen, MD MSc FAAEM, author of When Doctors Don’t Listen: How to Avoid Misdiagnoses and Unnecessary Tests. “The two together are necessary to help your doctor help you. Know that you’re not questioning the doctor’s expertise, but rather that you are adding to his or her knowledge about you. And remember to speak up.”
If you feel like your doctor isn’t taking you seriously, you’re not alone. “Many people have this experience; you go to the doctor for a problem that’s really bothering you and affecting your quality of life, and he or she poo-poo’s your symptoms and tells you to go take some Tylenol or Motrin and have a rest for a few days,” says Karen Weese Bell, MD. “Sound familiar? It can be SO frustrating to have extremely bothersome symptoms and be told that ‘it’s nothing to worry about’.”
“If you’re confused or if something just doesn’t feel right, don’t be embarrassed to ask questions or to voice your concerns,” says Mary Beth Modic, DNP, APRN-CNS, CDE. “Your doctor wants to make sure that he or she addresses your concerns. And if you don’t understand, say so. If your doctor appears busy, say: ‘I’m trying to understand, but I feel rushed.’”
If trust between you and your doctor has irretrievably broken down, it might be time to find a new health professional. “Although this isn’t always an option for folks in rural areas, if your doctor is impossible to work with, then you should find someone else to take care of you,” says Val Jones, MD. “Be very polite, get copies of all your medical records, and then take them elsewhere. Don’t be stoic and stick with a total jerk if your care is being compromised by his or her attitude and behavior.” And to protect your life and the lives of others, don’t visit any of these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.
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