Your primary care physician will undoubtedly have access to very personal information regarding your health and well-being. They may learn things about your body that no one else in your life knows, and they could very well save your life. Choosing a primary care physician and maintaining a good relationship requires research, patience, and honesty. To develop a strong, trusting relationship with your doctor, follow these steps.
Keep Track of Your Medical History
For your doctor to make the best decisions about your healthcare, he or she will need to know everything about your past illnesses and procedures and your family medical history. Without this information, it will be more difficult to determine the right action to take regarding your condition.
Don’t Hide Anything
Blood tests can reveal a lot about a person, but there are some factors that can only be discovered through a discussion about lifestyle. If you are embarrassed to tell your primary care physician about the choices you’ve made that could affect your health, it could severely damage the doctor-patient relationship. If you struggle with addiction, depression or habits that could be seen as distasteful, telling your doctor about your issues could get you on the right track to working through them.
Listen to Your Physician’s Advice
In the era of WebMD, many patients think they have the answer before stepping foot into a doctor’s office. While the internet does have many helpful resources, more often than not, the only way to accurately diagnose medical issues is to have a certified medical doctor look at them. If you question your doctor’s advice, it is okay to let them know. That is part of the honesty that builds a strong doctor-patient relationship. They can further explain their reasoning and usually have literature for visual aid to help you understand.
Core Insurance Advisors can help you find a doctor who is in a network with your insurance plan or an insurance plan that works with the physician you already see. They understand that finding a physician requires great care and can guide you through the process.
