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Lissa is an OB/GYN physician, a Pink Medicine Revolutionary, author of two books, a motivational speaker, founder of OwningPink.com, a...
 
 
 
 

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10 Tips To Help You Find The Right Doctor

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You might have been raised to believe that doctors are gods and that you shouldn't question us, but let me tell you the real truth, my loves. We docs are in the service industry -- it's our job to love, nurture, tend, and care for you, and if we're not doing that the way you deserve, you should fire our sorry asses!

If you weren't getting what you needed from your massage therapist, hairdresser, or yoga instructor, you would find someone else, right? Why should your doctor be any different? And yet, your doctor is even more important. This is serious stuff we're talking about here.


"Doctor" via Shuttlestock.

Plus, medicine is, after all, a spiritual practice. At least it should be, and if your doctor doesn't believe that, do you really want to put your body and your life in his or her hands? If you didn't like your priest, minister, guru, or shaman, you would go elsewhere, right?

I just got an email from a reader saying she was miserable with her doctor, but she was afraid to see anyone else because she didn't want to get labeled as a troublesome "doctor shopper."

Why Not Doctor Shop?

My response to her was "Why not doctor shop? And who cares if someone labels you 'troublesome'? It’s your body. Your health. Your life. Your choice."

10 Tips To Help You Find The Right Doctor

  1. Interview your doctor. Let them know when you schedule the appointment that you would like to schedule a consultation to make sure your doctor is the right fit for you. If the doctor won’t submit to being interviewed, you gotta wonder what they’re afraid of. Find someone who has enough confidence in their awesomeness to agree to being interviewed.
  2. Be willing to get what you pay for. Insurance may not pay for you to doctor shop or for consultative interviews with doctors. So tell the front desk you're willing to pay cash when you schedule the appointment. Also, doctors who do not accept insurance tend to offer more time. Find a doctor who will give you a whole hour if you can.
  3. Demand what you deserve (in a gentle, loving way, of course). Understand that your doctor may have 40 patients on her schedule, so be mindful of her time -- and ask how long you have allotted for you. Then be clear about what you expect and don't settle for less.
  4. Seek someone who shares your beliefs. If you are a spiritual person counting on your relationship with the Divine to guide you on your self-healing journey, and your doctor is an atheist, it might not be the best fit.
  5. Check in with how your body reacts. If you feel tight, clenched, nervous, cold, shivery, or closed off, your body may be telling you something. Look for feelings of openness, warmth, relaxation, and calmness in your body.
  6. Listen to your intuition. What does your gut say? Do you trust this doctor? Do you feel safe in her hands? Trust your Inner Pilot Light (that 100% authentic, unapologetically YOU, knowing inner healer who will always steer you in the right direction.)
  7. Ask your doctor if they believe you can be healed. If your doctor reads you negative statistics, dismisses your self-healing superpowers, insists that there's no hope, lacks belief in miracles, and generally considers you a hopeless case, get thee the hell outta dodge!
  8. Feel the love. I know I practice love, with a little medicine on the side. Science may cure, but only love heals. Go where the love is. There’s plenty of loving doctors out there. Find one.
  9. Ensure that your doctor trusts your intuition. If you believe homeopathy is going to heal you, and your doctor thinks homeopaths are quacks, fire her. You and your inner wisdom know more than anyone else, no matter how long they went to medical school.
  10. Know that you deserve the best care possible. Don't go telling yourself stories about how you're not good enough/ smart enough/ young enough/ rich enough/ [fill in the blank] enough to get this kind of stellar medical care. If you believe you'll only get bad care, it will be a self-fulfilling prophecy. Know you are worth it.

Are You Ready To Go Out And Get The Kind Of Care You Deserve?

This doesn't just apply to doctors, you know. (I picked on them because my profession is notoriously bad about providing good customer service these days). But this also goes for alternative health providers, the woman who does your

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isthisthemiddle 1168 pts

Thanks for the information in your post. I'm struggling about whether or not to change one of my doctors. She gives good care, but her office is incredibly hard to get to pick up the phone to answer a routine call about an appt. Her attitude to me as a patient is chilly/moody. I walk on eggshells with her. Do I stay or do I go? Trying to decide.

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MidlifeGals
MidlifeGals

blogher BlogHerHealth Oh Gawd, The Midlife Gals say, "Stay away from THIS Doctor, not to mention The Nurse!! http://t.co/zewZMQF3

Myree67
Myree67

lissarankin love it... I'm starting saving now along with LOA so I can be a patient

kathleea
kathleea

lissarankin blogher I thought this was a reference to Doctor Who. Yeah, I know. I'm a Whovian. :)

Dr_K_USA
Dr_K_USA

lissarankin I loved your blog today..I think it was if I had written it myself...If its OK with you, I'll discuss it at my mens group today

Lissarankin
Lissarankin

dr_k_usa Yes, all docs have this issue, I think. It's in our nature. I am witnessing that you can do this for yourself & patients too.

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Kimber Coley-Beech
Kimber Coley-Beech

Great! We are moving soon and finding a new doctor will be sooo important!