Patients have the right to take charge of their own healthcare. That means recognizing when it might be time to switch doctors. In extreme cases, this decision could actually prevent unnecessary injuries or even death if the doctor’s judgment or competence is questionable.
The 4 reasons it might be necessary to change doctors:
- Poor beside manner. This doesn’t necessarily look the same to everyone. One patient might appreciate a doctor’s forthrightness, while another views it as aggressiveness. But then there are certain bedside manners that are unappealing across the board, such as acting rushed or appearing disinterested in your concerns.
- Failure to communicate effectively. Some doctors might use medical jargon you don’t understand. That’s not unusual; if you don’t understand something, speak up. The problem may be if the doctor refuses to explain in more comprehensible terms. There might be certain medical concepts that are just difficult for the layman to understand, but if you find you’re always in the dark and the doctor is not helpful, it might not be a good fit.
- Failure to listen. Not only is it vital that the doctor makes an effort to adequately explain relevant medical issues and speak in terms that are understandable, the doctor should also be a good listener. If the physician is disinterested in what you have to say, doesn’t allow you time to voice your questions or concerns, constantly interrupts you, or seems in a rush to get the appointment over with, it could be time to switch doctors.
- Questionable judgment. Doctors are human, so it is possible to make a mistake. But when the mistakes are significant or frequent, this might be an indication of incompetence. For example, the doctor’s judgment may be questionable if despite having with your medical history in hand, he or she prescribes a medication that could cause a serious adverse reaction with a medicine you are already taking.
Unfortunately, the decision to switch doctors might come too late. If you or someone you love was seriously or fatally injured as a result of medical negligence, don’t hesitate to seek legal advice. Call Gacovino, Lake & Associates to discuss a case of medical malpractice: 800-550-0000.
