Finding a new primary care doctor can be tough but this is one of the most important relationships in your life. After all, you will be trusting this person with managing your preventative care, wellness, and discussing personal health issues.
You deserve a primary care experience that isn’t just “ok” but one that you love and is optimized for your life.
So how do you know when it’s time to start looking for a new primary care doctor? Here are five signs to consider:
1. You are tired of waiting for your current primary care doctor.
Do you have to wait days or even weeks to get an appointment? And once it’s time for your appointment do you have to sit in a lobby for 30 minutes only to wait another 20 minutes in the exam room and then only see the doctor for about 10 to 15 minutes? With overloaded patient panels, in traditional primary care offices physicians are often seeing 25-35 patients every day.
If you are tired of waiting, you should know that there is a solution. Our concierge-type membership model allows the doctor to have a smaller patient panel size, eliminating the wait from the experience. You are able to get the same or next daycare, extended time for visits, and your appointments will start on time.
2. You don’t feel comfortable with your primary care doctor.
Your doctor will know intimate details of your health. As such, you should feel comfortable being able to disclose certain facts, and if not, you may want to find a new doctor. Are you hoping your doctor can communicate well with you or is it important that they look like you? These factors may matter to you and can play a role in your primary care experience consequently. Additionally, feeling any uncertainty about your doctor’s recommendations or treatment plan is a perfectly good reason to look for a new doctor.
3. Your doctor is quick to write a prescription at every single visit.
Overprescribing medication as a quick fix or to band-aid problems is a growing trend in healthcare. Sometimes lifestyle changes or holistic practices incorporating nutrition, supplements, sleep, movement, and other healing modalities may be effective (and without potential side effects). For example, if you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure and your primary care doctor hasn’t discussed whether nutrition and exercise could be a good first step treatment, you may want to ask about these before starting medications.
4. You (and your family) need convenience in your life.
For some individuals, finding a new primary care doctor is about making things as easy as 1-2-3. You should be able to get an appointment as soon as possible. Also, you shouldn’t have to sit in a waiting room or the exam room. If you have a medical concern, you should be able to contact your doctor’s office and get a response. If this isn’t happening at your current primary care doctor, it might be time to look for a new practice.
5. You feel rushed during your visit.
Typical primary care offices can sometimes feel like an assembly line of patients with time to spend only on the top one or two items of concern. The simple reality is that a twenty-minute patient visit is not enough. At Prōse Medical and Wellness, you will have unrushed extended office visits allowing time for an exam, a thorough evaluation, discussion of your concerns, and recommended next steps.
If you are looking for a new primary care doctor, it might be time to consider a new model of care. At Prōse Medical & Wellness, Dr. Kristamarie Collman is available, accessible, and is accepting new patients. With a smaller panel, she is able to spend more time with patients. Thus, she can deliver the kind of care you deserve.
Our services are just a click away! So don’t hesitate to send us a message if you have any questions or wish to sign up for care.
