Choosing a healthcare professional to partner with on your medical health journey can be extremely challenging, especially considering mismanagement, feeling unheard or unaccepted, fear of receiving unfavorable health news, poor past health experiences, and all the nuances that come with it. But what if I told you that you are the expert of your mind, body, and soul? You have the choice and ability to decide who you will collaborate with when making decisions about your health. There are five practical tips you can follow when seeking a healthcare professional to team up with. It starts with shifting your mindset and following these steps to take control of your health.
Research:
It's okay to read reviews about a medical provider. Checking Google reviews or visiting public forums where reviews are posted does not hurt. See what others have to say about the medical provider you are considering. You can gain a lot of information from others' experiences. Also, take a look at their star rating. The more reviews you read, the better you can get a sense of the overall personality and practices of these providers.
Some insurance plans can provide additional information on medical providers. Call the customer service number, typically found on the back of your insurance card, and ask the representative if there are notes or star ratings for the medical provider you are interested in. Don't be afraid to ask questions. You can even inquire about any reported incidents recorded on their medical license. This information is public and should be disclosed to everyone.
You can call the physician's office to learn more about the provider through the customer service of the staff. The front staff represents the medical provider and can influence your decision on whether to proceed with making an appointment.
Remember to keep notes for yourself so you can refer back to them if needed.
Ready:
You have completed your research and found the provider you would like to have your first appointment with. Now it's time to prepare for your appointment so that you are ready. Prior to your appointment, create a list of questions you would like to ask the provider. You can ask questions that are not directly related to your health, such as "How long have you been practicing? Have you ever questioned any decisions you've made for a patient, and how did you handle it? How do you approach advising patients? Have you worked with many patients from the same demographic as me? What challenges do you face as a provider? How do you involve the patient in their treatment plan?" and so on.
You also want to ensure that you have a written list of health concerns that you are prepared to address. This helps you stay on track and ensures you don't forget anything. Additionally, write down any apprehensions you have about pursuing healthcare professionals. Talk about your previous experiences and allow yourself to hear how the provider responds. Were they empathetic to your past experiences or did they become defensive? You should be able to establish a trusting relationship with your provider. They need to know your concerns as you move forward on your health journey. It is essential to understand how they respond to you.
Review:
You've had your first appointment, and you came prepared and ready. Now it's time to review your experience. Schedule some time soon after the appointment to write down your thoughts about your first visit. The sooner you jot down this information while it is fresh in your mind, the better it will assist you with your next steps. Ask yourself what went well and what could have been better. You can ask other questions such as, "Did I feel rushed? Did the provider take their time to explain things I didn't understand? Do I like their approach and the recommendations for my treatment plan? Did they treat me with care and concern or were they rude? Did they take the time to get to know me as a person and not just a statistic? Would I see this provider again?"
Reflect:
Although we are the pioneers and experts of our overall health and wellbeing as individuals, I find it equally important to let someone you trust in to reflect on your experiences thus far. They may provide sound feedback and ask follow-up questions about your experiences that you may need to delve deeper into. So now that you have reviewed your experiences by journaling, it's time to recount the entire experience with someone from whom you are willing to accept insights. Be completely honest with them about your visit and highlight areas of opportunity for both you and the provider to improve. Remember, this is a partnership, and no one is perfect. Everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow, and improve if they are willing. Some statements you can make to this trusted person are, "Could I have asked better questions? Was my body language and tone defensive or inviting?" If you want feedback from the person you are sharing your experience with, simply ask.
Reset:
You have completed all the steps, and now it is time for a reset. This reset will help you move forward with saying yes to a new provider or saying no and continuing your search. Remember, the choice is 100% yours, and if you have more questions, you can schedule a follow-up appointment. Don't forget to consider copayments when deciding whether to proceed with a follow-up appointment if you have more questions.