If you’ve been seeing the same doctor for a while now, the idea of switching to a new physician can be unappealing, even if your current doctor-patient dynamic isn’t perfect. After all, starting from scratch is exhausting, right? Well, as medical practices become increasingly modernized, new patient onboarding becomes easier and easier – and, more importantly, as new approaches to primary care are becoming more popular, patients have more options than ever for finding satisfying, fulfilling medical care. Achieving your best health starts with having a physician who is attuned to your needs and able to meet them; it means being happy with your primary care and feeling as though you are being heard. If this isn’t what you feel with your current situation, it’s probably a good idea to consider moving forward. Today, we’re going over some of the biggest signs it’s time to get a new doctor. Let’s take a look.

There’s no denying that the conventional approach to medicine can often leave a lot to be desired: with doctor’s visits lasting an average of 17 minutes (with patients only talking for an average of 5 minutes), it can be difficult to establish a meaningful rapport with your physician. That doesn’t mean that you should settle. If your interactions with your doctor feel dry and transactional, during which you list off your symptoms and are quickly given a medicine to patch them over, you’re not getting the holistic care you deserve. Your doctor should be your partner along your healthcare journey, providing insights into what can best help you to move forward and listening to your needs and concerns. It’s never too late to find that dynamic, and if you’re missing it, it’s time to seek it out.

With shorter and shorter appointment times and continuously increasing demands for their time, doctors who practice conventional medicine can see dozens of patients a day and care for several thousand patients. When a physician’s schedule is jam-packed with patients they only see once or twice a year, it makes it much harder for them to remember the specifics of your health journey (even the big things). If you find yourself having to essentially re-introduce your circumstances to your physician every time you see them, it’s a sign you’re not getting holistic, relationship-based care. Of course, no doctor will remember every specific detail about every patient, but it’s far more beneficial to your wellness to have a doctor who is well-acquainted with your history, symptoms, and progress. If that’s not something you have, it’s time to consider a new physician.

One of the biggest dissatisfactions among patients is the lack of face-to-face time they get with their physicians. The average 17 minute visit makes it extremely difficult to have a productive, detailed conversation about your health conditions, history, and goals; it’s why so many patients receive medicines to mask the symptoms instead of care that gets to the root cause of those symptoms. You need more than just 5 minutes of speaking time with your doctor in order to have a productive conversation about your health.

Your health journey starts with you. If you don’t feel as though you’re able to effectively advocate for or express yourself with your current physician, it’s crucial that you find someone else. Your healthcare provider’s most important job is to listen to what you have to say and provide insight and recommendations based on your symptoms and circumstances. Feeling heard is the baseline of receiving effective medical care – that’s something you should never have to compromise.

Your healthcare journey continues every day; your patient-physician relationship should follow suit. Having easy access to your physician is an excellent way to create an informed, beneficial relationship. This dynamic is the foundation of concierge care. With a concierge medical plan, you get 24/7 access to your doctor, priority appointment booking, and at least 30 minutes of uninterrupted time with your physician at every appointment. Most importantly, you get a physician who knows you and is in tune with your ongoing medical needs, even as they change. If you’re unsatisfied with your current primary care plan, it’s worthwhile to consider switching to a physician who offers concierge care.

If you identify with any of the above signs it’s time to get a new doctor, we know that it can seem daunting to start over with a new physician. However, it just might be one of the best decisions you make for your health and wellness. If you’re curious about the concierge model and would like to learn more, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with us.