Sure Signs That Inconsistent Care Is Impacting Your Health Journey

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Just a few generations ago, healthcare was provided by a family doctor who would follow health journeys from birth to adulthood. Now, with healthcare shortages and constant demands driving a wedge between providers and their patients, it’s not unusual to see as many as five different doctors in a single year. Lifelong healthcare as standard simply doesn’t seem to exist anymore – for most patients, it’s a case of having to take any appointment available, whoever that happens to be with. 

Unfortunately, there’s strong evidence to suggest that this inconsistent kind of care can have a notable impact on our health journeys. In this article, we’ll consider why inconsistent care is a problem and what you can do to overcome it. 

Risk # 1 – Putting off Appointments 

Booking an appointment with an unknown doctor can be daunting, especially if you wish to discuss an embarrassing issue. As such, many patients simply put off making an appointment until their problem is causing them considerable pain or issues. 

This can be a fatal mistake in issues where timely diagnosis is of the essence. Luckily, it’s a risk that simply doesn’t exist if you seek ongoing care through a service like concierge medicine, which will ensure a personalized, ongoing relationship with the same provider across the years. When you know who you can expect to see, and their levels of professionalism, you may feel far more comfortable contacting them as soon as you notice a niggle. And that could be the difference between life and death!

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Risk # 2 – Wasting Precious Time

Medical appointments are typically limited to ten-minute slots, which can be a problem if you’re constantly seeing new doctors and have complex medical needs. You may spend your entire appointment explaining your medical history without ever getting to the reason for your visit. 

This can be incredibly frustrating, and it’s again something that you can overcome by ensuring that you always see the same doctor where possible. In emergency cases where you do need to visit an unfamiliar doctor, it can also help to explain any medical specifics to the reception team in advance, thus ensuring you needn’t waste time during your appointment. 

Risk # 3 – Failing to See the Bigger Picture

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Inconsistent care can lead to missed diagnoses because doctors who see you once are unlikely to grasp the bigger picture. After all, they have no way of knowing about the headaches you’ve experienced for years, or a health condition you experienced as a child. 

This can mean that symptoms are misread or missed entirely, and that’s terrible news for your health overall. By comparison, ongoing care ensures a full-picture approach to mastering your health, which considers a detailed medical history and an in-depth understanding of your specific circumstances. That ensures no stone is left unturned, and can significantly speed up your diagnosis journey! 

If these warning signs sound familiar, then perhaps it’s time you put your health first by turning away from inconsistent care at last.