Available data indicate a 1.4% increase in Primary Care Doctors’ businesses in the US, but the irony is the shortage of this same group of medical practitioners. According to the US News website, the deficit could climb up to 139,000 by the year 2033, and that is worrying. Considering the dwindling numbers, it brings up how to find one and stick with them for the long term. So, what must you look out for? Moreover, what distinctions exist between a good medical practitioner and a bad doctor? Here are some things to consider.
- Their accessibility
According to Statista, in March 2020, the doctor-patient ratio in America was 2.9 per 1000 of the population. Without a doubt, this was profoundly influenced by the pandemic and the grave issues it delivered to the health sector. Ideally, a doctor should be easily accessible for his clients or patients. This involves their reachability from the appointment booking stage to the actual consultation. Therefore, regardless of how skilled a primary care doctor is if their accessibility is poor, it is recommended to change or switch to another who is easier to contact.
Being a good doctor isn’t entirely about their expertise. Instead, it is a combination of their work ethics and commitment to making you feel comfortable when you’re with them. Moreover, it can be a major warning sign when you have to wait for several hours before receiving medical attention from the doctor in question. What this means is, you are likely to be delayed in the event of an emergency.
- Unambiguous communication with clients
Have you ever walked out of the doctor’s office and felt well-understood? Additionally, do you leave feeling better informed than when you first walked into the office? If your answer to these questions is yes, then the doctor likely knows how to communicate. They ensure to answer all your questions, doubts, and concerns about your health. At no point should a doctor dismiss any worries you have as unimportant. Instead, their job is to quell your fears. Furthermore, no matter the final diagnosis, a good doctor will go the extra mile to explain the risks, treatment plan, and every other relevant information you need.
According to health experts, if you can clearly explain your diagnosis to friends and family, that is the mark of a fruitful consultation with a good doctor. In the age of increasing negligence cases in healthcare, it is critical to have a clear understanding of what’s going on throughout the process. However, if you are faced with anything untoward in your treatment plan, you can seek help from medical malpractice attorneys.
- Their call back habits
News reports around the country stated that the primary reason most doctors fail to call back their patients (after missing clients’ initial call) is due to understaffing. Although a small percentage forgets to do so, experts believe this can be all it takes to elevate or break a doctor’s reputation. The call back doesn’t always have to be from the doctor because an assistant or a nurse can equally do so.
At most, within 48 hours, a call back from the doctor’s office is appreciated. Therefore, if the medical practitioner you are currently seeing is already doing that, you’ve got yourself a keeper. Remember that your judgment should be based on a series of unreturned callbacks and not a one-off event.
- Timeliness
Finally, punctuality is a significant character trait to look out for, and so your care provider must exhibit respect for the client’s time. It is a different case if their staff explain the reason for the delay. However, when their lateness becomes chronic, you may want to switch to another provider whose commitment to clients shows through their time-keeping skills.