Do you need a different doctor? (Ruthann Russo)

After my daughter Emmalea had her first seizure and was diagnosed with epilepsy, she was treated by a neurologist at our local medical center, who I will call Dr. Smith. To be sure we were on the right path with such a serious diagnosis, we sought out a second opinion from Dr. Carl Bazil, a nationally known neurologist at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City. Dr. Bazil, who agreed with the local neurologist’s treatment, sent Dr. Smith a letter describing his visit with Emmalea and documenting his suggestions. This is standard practice, and basic etiquette, for consulting physicians to inform the primary physician about their visit with the patient.

After her second seizure, frantic, I called Dr. Smith. When I asked him what we should do, he responded, “Why don’t you ask your fancy New York City doctor......” I immediately hung up the phone and called Dr. Bazil who provided guidance and counseling to us immediately. Our next step was to find another primary neurologist.

It may not always be quite so easy to determine when you need a different doctor, but there are some clues that you can use as a signal that your doctor-patient relationship may not be the optimal one for you (or your loved one). These clues are based primarily on your intuition or feelings about your physician, not his or her clinical competency. Unless you are a clinical expert, the only way to validate your physician’s competency is through a second, third, or even forth opinion if you feel you need it.

Here are some signs that you may need a different doctor:

He/She never seems to have enough time to spend with you or is always in a rush during your visit
He/She appears to be apathetic about your situation
He/She gives you little to no information during your visits, even when you ask questions
He/She is not willing to consider alternatives, or provide well thought out reasons for his decision, when you ask about other ways to treat you and your illness
He/She is not supportive of your desire to seek a second opinion
You just don’t feel comfortable with your interactions
You don’t think he likes you, and this is important to you
You don’t like her, and this matters to you