What To Do When You Disagree With Your Doctor

If you feel concerned about a diagnosis or the treatment you have received from your doctor, this can be very concerning, but here’s how you can make sure you leave the doctor’s office feeling confident.

With the average consultation with a doctor lasting only seven minutes, it’s not surprising that a lot of patients feel rushed. If you leave the surgery with more questions than answers or have the feeling that your diagnosis or treatment isn’t right, what should you do? Can you complain, or is it time to call a medical malpractice attorney? 

You shouldn’t be afraid to speak up if you’re not sure about anything. Expressing any concerns is a brave thing to do, but it can lead to further discussion, more understanding, and reassurance. 

Here’s how you can share your concerns if something feels wrong, and how to get the most out of a short appointment. 

Tackle Concerns Head On

Are you worried that your symptoms are a sign of something worse because a relative had the same? Tell your doctor. If you don’t feel as though your worries are being listened to, keep repeating the same questions until they are. 

If you aren’t sure if your doctor has understood your worries, ask them to repeat them back to you. This means that you can be confident that you are both on the same page. 

Get Second Opinions At Your Surgery

You can ask for a second opinion. Most doctors should be happy for you to see one of the other doctors in your practice. It’s normal to worry that you might cause offense by asking to do this, but in most cases, doctors are happy to have the opinion of a colleague, especially if your case is difficult. 

If you would rather not tell your doctor that you have made an appointment with someone else, you don’t have to. You have the right to see another doctor without giving a reason. 

Ask About Expert Doctors

It’s worth asking if there are any doctors in the practice that you use who have an interest or expertise in your health concern. This could open up a wider range of treatment options. 

Depending on what your problem is, there might be a doctor in your local area who has some more specialist knowledge. They might be a good point for your second opinion if you or your doctor has any uncertainties about how best to manage your problem. You should also be able to find more information about each doctor’s specialties on their practice websites. 

Seek Specialist Help

If you’re not seeing any improvement in your condition, despite several appointments with your doctor, your doctor might suggest seeing a specialist. To find out if seeing one might be useful, ask your doctor if there are any tests or treatments that only a specialist would be able to do. 

Your doctor has guidelines that they need to follow, and if they aren’t the best person to provide your care, they should explain why and refer you to someone who is.