Many of us understand what it’s like to search “clinics near me” and pop into the nearest medical centre for an appointment only to be sorely disappointed. While there is no discounting the fact that state-run clinics in the country are usually overcrowded and in poor condition, some private care facilities are, too – and patients do not always know how to avoid these. In fact, for the ill, tired, or desperate patient, it is easy to settle for subpar medical attention because they simply do not have the energy or resources to find a better alternative. For this reason, we at the Intercare Group have developed and expanded an innovative, world-class network of medical care centres across South Africa that not only offer patients access to top professionals, but numerous essential health care services, too.
For anyone seeking medical clinics near them, however, there will always be a degree of research that is required. Sometimes ruling out less professional medical centres and doctors’ practices is easy because of glaring issues you observe during your appointment; but the red flags are not always so obvious. Here, we take a look at some warning signs to never ignore while visiting a doctor or dentist.
The Front Desk Ignores Your Presence
It is the job of the reception staff to welcome you, confirm your appointment, hand you the right forms, and give you an estimate of how long you will wait for your doctor. Front desk staff who ignore patients for long periods of time by staring at a computer screen, socialising with co-workers, or taking non-work phone calls are unprofessional. You should also pay attention to the demeanour of the reception staff – whether or not they are friendly and engaging or simply have a bad attitude.
The Waiting Times Are Too Long
Not all medical conditions require emergency or urgent medical care, but seeing a doctor as soon as possible means that a patient is able to receive their treatment and go home to rest as soon as possible. It is common that one will wait a few minutes to see a doctor but waiting times beyond 30 to 45 minutes, without anyone letting you know why, is a strong indication that the doctor is running behind schedule and might not make enough time for you.
The Clinic Seems Dirty or Unkempt
Not only do messy and dirty medical clinics look bad, but they pose real health risks to the patients who move through them. A medical clinic that has not been cleaned in a while likely also harbours various bacteria and viruses across surfaces like chairs, walls, doors, and in their restrooms because this is an environment exposed to more microorganisms than other kinds of environments.
The Doctor Seems Inattentive or Distracted
One of the most important skills a doctor requires is listening to the patient attentively. Unfortunately, typing “clinics near me” into a search engine won’t always yield results based upon doctors ranked well for their listening skills. While speaking to you, your doctor should maintain eye contact and display body language that indicates they are hearing what you are saying. Most importantly, you need to feel heard.
Your Doctor Assumes It Is All in Your Head
Psychosomatic illnesses are very real – and there is science to back up that stress, depression, and anxiety can all lead to poor physical health outcomes. There is, however, a stark difference between conditions with a root cause in mental distress, and conditions that the patient imagines altogether. If you feel that your doctor is gaslighting you into believing your symptoms don’t really exist or invalidating your experience as a patient, it is likely time to visit another medical clinic near you in order to seek out a second opinion.
Your Questions Are Dismissed, and You Still Do Not Understand
Doctors often have to reassure patients, set their minds at ease, and explain conditions and terms to them in an easily digestible way. In a visiting room, questions are encouraged as it enables the patient to understand what is happening and how to empower themselves on their journey to healing. If your GP dismisses your questions or explains things in a way that leaves you confused or concerned, you may want to find a new professional.
They Become Defensive When You Ask Questions
The medical field is unfathomably complex, and decades of study and experience practising medicine will never be enough to know everything. This is why it should not make patients uncomfortable when a doctor says they will need to do more research or refer the patient to a specialist. Such doctors would rather you receive more in-depth care than misdiagnose or disregard your symptoms. Be careful of doctors who have quick, but meaningless, answers to everything and become defensive when you question them further.
Your Doctor Doesn’t Seem Up to Date
As mentioned above, it is not possible to stay abreast of everything doctors and scientists are finding out about the human body on a daily basis. It is important, however, to partner with a professional who makes special effort to stay up to date on what is happening in medicine and can give you valuable insight into your condition and questions.
They Never Refer You to a Specialist
If you have been to the same clinic near you multiple times for the same issue without improvement, your doctor might be the problem. Doctors often pursue conservative treatments first before more complex procedures and treatment plans, but a GP who prescribes the same medication over and over without examining your case further or referring you to a specialist probably does not have your best interests in mind.
How We at Intercare Do Things Differently
Here, at Intercare, we believe in quality, expertise, and compassion. These driving forces have enabled us to maintain a network of innovative medical centres with professional teams who really care. Our online booking system is also ultra-simple to use, and you are free to cancel and move your appointment online any time. Now, there is no need for those endless “clinics near me” online searches because you can find your nearest Intercare medical centre by simply clicking here.