What I look for when I’m on a search for doctors

I have a love-hate relationship with doctors.

Being born with cystic fibrosis (CF) has afforded me the opportunity to have experiences with several doctors throughout my life. Having a double-lung transplant seven years ago further opened a plethora of doctors’ doors. Both health circumstances have given me profound insight into what to look for in a doctor.

Before I take that on, though, what’s up with my love-hate relationship with doctors? I do love the ones I have now and am grateful for their expertise (especially since they’re a necessity). The hate part is having to carve out so much time to attend the appointments with them. But with multiple chronic illnesses, I don’t have a choice about it, and each illness requires a different specialty doctor for my routine checkups.

The doctors I’ve had thus far have deeply affected me. They’ve sat with me in the darkest moments of my health crises, holding my hand and ensuring I’d get through them. Others have gone out of their way to check on me and remember tiny details about my life. They’ve often taken exceptional steps; my pediatrician, for example, drove four hours to attend my high school graduation. These moments have meant more to me than they’ll ever know.

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What’s worked for me

It may sound wild, but bedside manner is one of the most important elements that I look for when searching for a doctor. I want to be able to relate to someone on a personal, not just professional, level. I want to be treated as an individual and not have a conversation with a robot.

Humility is a big one for me. The doctors who’ve made the greatest impact on my life have been the ones who’ve treated me like I’m the expert on my body. Having the doctor include me in the conversation when we’re making decisions about my body is vital. When a doctor values my personal experience with my various chronic conditions, it tells me they’re solid.

A holistic perspective is essential, too. When a doctor takes into account not only my physical health, but also my stress levels, life activities, and other factors contributing to how I function, it’s a huge asset. My mental, emotional, and spiritual health is just as important as my physical health. They all affect each other and should be taken into account for my overall well-being.

Sense of humor is key. My physical health has been a source of struggle and fear (warranted), and having a lighthearted attitude has helped alleviate the heaviness I deal with daily. When a doctor can laugh with me, that sets me at ease.

Competence is, perhaps obviously, important; I’m not just looking for a charming personality here. I need someone who has experience with rare cases and is well-versed in my particular health circumstances. There are several anomalies in how my body operates, and having a doctor with deep expertise is essential.

Interviewing doctors instead of just accepting whoever’s assigned me has shifted my perspective dramatically. Simply being a doctor isn’t qualification enough to work with me; some of my doctors have harmed me, in fact. So it’s important that I see if they’re the right fit for me, and sometimes that means switching doctors or specialty teams.

At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that doctors are human, too.

As we celebrate National Doctors Day on March 30, it’d be great to hear about your experiences. Please share in the comments below!

Note: Cystic Fibrosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Cystic Fibrosis News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to cystic fibrosis.