Choosing the right healthcare team is one of the most important health related decisions you make. It can be difficult to find health care providers, both in primary care & in specialty care, who you connect with. Here are a few things to look for in your health care team:
Empathy & Friendliness
How is your provider's overall "bedside manner"? When you have an appointment you should feel welcomed and like they are making you a priority. It is also vital that your doctor understands how you are feeling and is empathetic to what you are experiencing. This is more important than you may think... studies have shown that having a doctor who is empathetic can actually decrease a patient's awareness of pain.
Genuine Interest in you and your lifestyle
Does your provider understand your specific goals and what your lifestyle looks like? Are they on board with helping you get back to the activities you love? If you've been given the advice of "just avoid that activity", a second opinion might be in order. We've worked with clients who have been told to avoid skiing, skating, lifting, etc., and are now back to back to doing those exact things without difficulty.
Connection & Comfortability
You should be able to talk to your doctor about ANYTHING... without feeling judged or criticized. If you are not comfortable talking with your doctor openly, it may be time to start looking for a new one. It is also very important to make sure that your health care provider uses treatment styles that align with your beliefs and lifestyle.
Communication Skills
Your appointments are for YOU. This means that you should have your doctor's undivided attention and they should be actively listening to you throughout the appointment. Make sure that you have a provider who validates your concerns and answers your questions in a way that you easily understand.
Time Investment
Having a provider who invests their time in you can make all the difference in diagnoses & treatments! You should not be feeling rushed through your appointments or like you don't have enough time with your doctor. They should be taking the time to thoroughly answer all the questions that you have during your appointment and make sure your treatment plan is clear.
Education and Staying Current
Your ideal provider is current in their area of specialty. Additionally, they are passionate about staying up to date with the medical advances and research in their field. Best practices in the medical field can change rapidly, and for the best outcomes, you want to be working with providers that are current and up to date!
The Office Environment
Your first phone call to a provider's office can provide a ton of insight! If the staff sounds stressed and frantic on the phone, that probably reflects the general mood & atmosphere in the office. Did they book your appointment with only a few questions or did they take the time to get to know you and your goals? Ideally, when you get off the phone you should already feel valued and welcome in their office.
The Bottom Line
Do you have providers that you connect with and are you receiving the best care possible? Make sure that you're getting the best care possible and take a minute to think about your current healthcare team.
You deserve it!
Next Steps
If you're ready to have a physical therapist in Bozeman, Montana on your healthcare team, feel free to email us at
amy@momentumptmt.com to learn more.
