Two tips to follow after registering with a new health clinic
Posted on: 7 January 2022
Here are two tips to follow after registering with a new health clinic.
Don't be afraid to change doctors
Most health clinics have hundreds or even thousands of patients and so need to employ several doctors. It may happen that after being assigned a certain doctor, you realise you would rather switch to a new doctor. This could happen if, for example, you're unexpectedly get diagnosed with a female health condition and would prefer a female doctor. These situations are common.
In a situation like this, you should be able to immediately request a new doctor. You don't need to worry about the original doctor being offended by this, as any doctor will be pleased to have a patient ask for a medical professional with whom they feel happy to speak freely. These professionals understand that if a patient is not forthcoming about their health and symptoms, then it can become impossible for their doctor to help them. Don't feel bad, and simply state your preferences and get the medical care you are seeking.
Find out about the clinic's walk-in policy
There may be occasions in the future when you need to see one of the clinic's doctors for a medical issue that is urgent but is not serious enough to require a visit to a hospital (such as a bad skin rash or a painful urinary tract infection). In this case, you may not need to rush to the ER, but you will need to see a medical professional soon.
Because of this, it's important to enquire about the health clinic's walk-in policy; that is, whether they allow people to come into the clinic and wait to see a doctor without having made an appointment in advance. Many clinics allow walk-ins but may have certain rules regarding this matter, and it's best to know what these rules are before you need to see a doctor without an appointment.
For example, the clinic might need you to call them just before you set off to the clinic so that they can determine how urgently you need to see a doctor and then triage you based on the symptoms you describe. Additionally, they may only permit walk-ins during certain periods of the day; knowing this will ensure that you don't, for example, go to the clinic three hours before this period begins or only begin your journey an hour after this period has ended.
For more information about visiting with a doctor, contact a local medical clinic.
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