Finding good providers

Disclaimer:

Any medical/health information in this post is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional advice. Accordingly, before taking any actions based on such information, I encourage you to consult with the appropriate professionals. The use or reliance of any information contained in this post is solely at your own risk.

We've all been there:

You call the office multiple times to finally get on a waitlist.

You wait weeks for an available appointment.

Finally, the day arrives.

You show up and sit in a waiting room for 50 minutes.

Your name is called.

At last, you’re going to get the help you’ve been waiting for....

You sit in the room for another 20 minutes.

The provider knocks on the door and walks in..... .....and walks back out five minutes later.

You could barely get a word in.

You feel frustrated, unheard, and that your time was wasted.

You’re left to ask your friends or the internet, yet again, for another recommendation...

Is there a way to avoid all this headache and heartbreak, and save yourself some time and sanity?

Let's talk about how to find a good provider.

More often than not, providers are excellent at their craft. They have fantastic intentions, but are drowning in a medical system that prioritizes efficiency. This leaves providers doing the best they can, but without satisfactory solutions for patients.

I want my patients to win, and nothing irks me more than hearing that an appointment was a waste of time and money.

I face the same challenges when facilitating my own healthcare.

I have a few thoughts to share after both struggling to find good care for myself, as well as helping patients find good care around the region.

What to look for in a provider

There are four main categories to assess when considering a new provider: competency, communication, connection, and capacity.

Competency

Do they have a skillset that can help you?

While many people consider years of experience the primary indicator of competency, equally important is whether a provider engages in mentorship, stays up-to-date on the latest research, and seeks regular learning opportunities such as continuing education and conferences.

Medical knowledge changes at lightening pace (for example, around one million new papers are published on research databases each year!).

It’s impossible to keep up with everything, but a good provider will be in the practice of regularly learning and growing.

Here are some questions you can ask your provider about competency:

• Do they specialize in your problem, or have they had experience treating it?

• How do they continue to improve their practice?

• How do they stay up-to-date on the latest research?

• How much do they value prevention versus treatment?

  
  

Communication

This may be the most important category.

A provider with good communication listens just as much as they talk. They collaborate with you on your goals, listen to your story, and include you in decisions. While they may be an expert in their field, they should respect that you are the expert of your body. You should feel that your opinions and preferences matter.

This doesn’t always mean that you and a provider agree on the best path forward. Often, a provider’s job is to help you understand your options, along with potential benefits and risks.

Their job is to give you their professional opinion based on clinical knowledge, experience, and research. Ultimately, you are free to make a decision that is in agreement or disagreement with their opinion. If both parties feel respected, this is a healthy relationship.

Here are some questions you can reflect on regarding communication:

• Do you feel heard?

• Does your doctor seem curious and interested in your thoughts and opinions on your treatment?

• Are they open to feedback on what you feel is and is not working?

  
  

Connection

If they aren’t the right provider for you, do they have a fantastic recommendation for the provider you need?

Good providers are connected in their communities to other good providers. They should be able to send you to someone they trust, or be up front when they don’t have a good option.

Here are some questions you can ask your provider about connection:

• How long have they been practicing in your area?

• Do they have a strong network of other providers they respect and trust? That is, when you need to see someone else, do they have a trusted recommendation?

Capacity

How hard is it to get help?

The availability of a provider impacts how quickly and efficiently you can get the help you need.

If you need an appointment, can you get one in a reasonable timeframe?

Or, within an appointment, do they have the time to address your concerns, or are they so overloaded that you're left with more questions than answers?

If you have questions between appointments, can you get in touch with them or with their office easily?

Many providers work in practices or settings in which they are overloaded with patients, leaving little time to spend with each patient. Others have chosen settings or practice environments that allow sufficient time to address your needs.

Here are some questions you can ask your provider about capacity:

• How long does a typical visit last?

• How easy is it to make an appointment if needed?

• How easy is it to get in touch with or get a message to them if needed?

  
  

A different way...

Imagine this scenario instead:

You call and schedule an appointment immediately.

You arrive for your appointment, and you’re seen on time.

You have enough time with the provider to adequately share your concern.

You receive a thorough assessment, and your provider takes time to explain their recommendation for treatment.

You collaborate on a path forward, and leave with a plan that is tailored to you.

Sounds great, right?

It is absolutely reasonable to seek providers that give you this experience.

No provider is perfect, and often the structure of our healthcare system limits how much a provider can fulfill the four qualities of connection, communication, and capacity - even if they are supremely competent.

As a patient, it often takes time, patience, and trial-and- error to find good providers who also work in a setting that facilitates good care.

Some providers have many of the characteristics we discussed above, and are excellent at helping people win.

Use the questions and reflections above as a litmus test, and... when you find a good provider in a good environment, celebrate! (and tell me about them, so I can direct more patients to them!)

Feeling stuck?

If you're looking for help with a certain problem and can't find the right provider, please reach out to us.

I’ve spent time cultivating a list of the best providers in Chattanooga based on the qualities discussed above. I trust them with my own care, and with the care of my patients.

You can see that list of rockstars here. If you have more questions about anyone on the list, let me know. I will gladly share with you how I know them, how often I work with them, and what I know about their care.

And, if you need a recommendation but aren’t sure where to go, you may benefit from an evaluation with Headspace Physio so I can better understand your problem and point you in the right direction.

Just hit “Contact Us” above, and let’s chat!

Cheers,

Dr. Rebecca Salstrand, PT, DPT