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Picking the right doctor is one of the best things you can do for your health. But how do you know if you’ve made the right choice?
Here are the top 5 things you should look for in a healthcare provider:
1. They conduct a full intake and physical exam.
Healthcare providers do their job when they get your full health history along with your family’s history, and any trauma and hospitalizations you’ve experienced. They will do a proper physical assessment, including vitals, and any other assessments of joints, neurological, internal, X-rays or imaging that you might require. They’ll be willing to do these tests whether it’s convenient or not. It’s important for any healthcare provider to be thorough and not skip steps to ensure that they’ve gathered all of the data that they need in order to make a competent diagnosis and to come up with a precise treatment plan.
2. They have a longterm plan for your health and can explain it to you.
If asked, your doctor can share with you what they are trying to accomplish and how they plan to get there. They can explain what they are doing and why in non-medical terms so it makes sense to you. “Because I’m a doctor” isn’t good enough. Ask why you’re getting certain treatments! You have the right to know as a patient.
3. They empathize.
They put themselves in your shoes. They come from a point of “what if that was my mother/father/sister/brother or me” on the table, how would I like to be treated? And then they treat their patients with that same dignity and respect.
4. They listen to your input and are flexible with their care.
A treatment plan shouldn’t be entirely one-sided. A great healthcare provider will care what you have to say and take into account any concerns that you bring to the table. They will adjust their treatment plan to meet your goals and desires.
5. They know their limits.
No doctor is infallible and omniscient. They should know when it’s best to surrender your care to another doctor or get a second opinion. After all your care isn’t about them, it’s about you and what’s best for your health.
These are the principles I strive to practice with my own patients.
If you want to learn more about my style of care and how I can help you, contact me or schedule an appointment below.
In Health,
Dr. V
If you are interested in further addressing this topic, please feel free to reach out and schedule an appointment. Dr. V is a Chiropractor and Functional Medicine Doctor in Elmhurst, Illinois who evaluates patients from the inside out, focusing on areas including hormone imbalance, digestive health, anxiety/depression, autoimmune disease, and many others.