Is it time to change doctors?

There are many important professions out there, but doctors deal with life-and-death scenarios. A doctor is someone you’re supposed to be able to trust.

Generally, medical professionals take their duty of care very seriously. They find the best possible treatments for patients and treat them with dignity.

Sadly, however, this isn’t always the case. There are occasions when doctors fail in their duty of care. Fortunately, you don’t have to be treated by someone you are not comfortable with. Outlined below are a few signs that it’s time to change doctors.

If they are overworked

All doctors have busy caseloads. It can be difficult to manage these but it’s part of the job. Busy caseloads should not jeopardize individual patient care. If your doctor is constantly late for appointments or has even forgotten to attend scheduled appointments, this is a bad sign.

When they do attend to you they should answer any questions you have about pain, discomfort etc. If you are not being listened to then this means that you are not being properly cared for. Discussions between doctors and patients are a key part of the diagnostic and treatment process.

Previous errors

You are perfectly entitled to carry out due diligence on those who are treating you. It’s reasonable to want to know if your surgeon has a clean record and a good reputation. If something turns up during your investigations, then you are entitled to make a change.

Medical errors can have severe consequences. If you believe that your doctor or another medical practitioner has been negligent, you may be entitled to compensation. Seek legal guidance to find out more about your options.