5 Signs You Need to Change Doctors

Have you ever thought about leaving your doctor? If you're in the second generation of a family that has seen him or her, probably not. However, you should know that there are times in which changing doctors is vital to your health. You should change when:

1. You can't communicate with him/her.

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, communication is a vital key to excellent medical treatment. Why? If you can't tell your doctor what's wrong with you, then you can't get the specific treatment needed to get well. So, if you are intimidated by your doctor or just speak a different language, it's time to switch. Find a doctor who you can effectively communicate with, so you can receive the medical attention you need.

2. You can't get in.

How long on average does it take for you to get an appointment with your doctor? 3 days? 1 week? 1 month? These timelines are ones you need to explore. If you have an illness or condition that requires constant or emergent care, but your doctor is just too busy to give it to you, it's time to leave. Even if they are great in every other way, it won't help you if you can't see them within a reasonable amount of time.

3. Your "health" goals differ.

In her lectures for the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School, Michele Heisler M.D., recommends that doctors and patients share the same health goals, especially in the case that a patient has a chronic disease. This meeting of the minds is important because the patient has to carry out a bulk of the treatment at home. So, if the patient and doctor can't agree on a course of treatment, failure looms in the future. Therefore, if you and are your doctor are always at odds on what you should be doing to get well, its time to change doctors and go to someone who's on the same page with you.

4. You hate his staff.

You should know that there are times in which changing doctors is vital to your health.

Credit: Kirill Zdorov | iStockPhoto

Copyright: © Kirill Zdorov | iStockPhoto