Illness and Disability

Changing doctors

How do you know if you need to change doctors? Sometimes it is hard to tell. If you are uncomfortable around your doctor or are not getting the information you need, it might be time for you and your parents to talk about changing. As a patient, you have the right to a doctor who:

• Talks directly to you, not just your parent or guardian
• Involves you in making choices about your care
• Listens to you and tries to answer all of your questions
• Is willing to talk about different types of treatments, not just one
• Learns about new research and advances, such as a new medicine that treats your illness or gets rid of pain caused by your disability

If you have tried to be patient and ask good questions, but your doctor still isn’t doing those things, it may be time to find a new one. Some tips to help you find a new doctor are below.

How do you find a new doctor?

When looking for a doctor, you and your parents or guardian should:

• Ask the doctor you have now for names of others who help patients like you. It’s okay for your parents or guardian to talk to your doctor alone if being there makes you uneasy.
• Ask other people who share your illness or disability if they are happy with their doctor.
• Call a national organization that helps people with your illness or disability to find the names of doctors close to where you live. Find more information about different organizations dealing with many illnesses and disabilities.
• Check to see that the doctor you pick is a part of your health insurance plan.

Your doctors are part of your health care team, along with other caregivers, your parents/guardians, and you. Everyone else is there to help you, and it is important that you are comfortable.

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Last updated June 2007