When you go to the doctor, do you feel like a number? Are you checked in as a “name, date of birth, and medical record number,” often without the courtesy of eye contact? You may not even be able to see your own doctor when you are sick. In today’s healthcare environment, that is exactly the way many people feel.
In an attempt to keep up with all the changing rules with Medicare and private insurances, doctors are driven to see more and more patients. Unfortunately, these conditions undermine what should be central to all of healthcare: the doctor-patient relationship.
One of the many benefits of concierge medicine is that everything we do revolves around you, the patient, and your unique needs. Experiencing a trusting and respectful relationship with your doctor is the right of every patient, and concierge medicine helps ensure that right. This is what you can expect in your relationship with your doctor at Rockville Concierge Doctors.
The Patient First
Medicine is a science with a wealth of evidence that supports the recommendations and treatments prescribed, but there is no “one size fits all” when caring for the individual patient. Concierge medicine gives the doctor the opportunity to really get to know his or her patients. On the other hand, it also gives you, the patient, the time, attention, and opportunity to express what is really important to you. In this type of relationship, plans can be tailored to your individual needs and lifestyle.
Partnership
The open communication that exists between the doctor and patient in a concierge medical practice provides the opportunity for you to build a true partnership with your doctor. Your doctor will listen to your concerns, ask you to expand on some things, and reassure you about others. He or she will examine you, interpret your tests, and identify any real or potential illnesses you may have. Finally, one or more plans of treatment will be recommended based on the goals that you and your doctor have identified together. It is the doctor’s responsibility to present you with options, along with the potential risks and benefits. It is the patient’s right to choose. At Rockville Concierge Doctors, you will not be presented with “cookie cutter” recommendations because the doctor, through open and ongoing communication with you, will understand your expectations, strengths, limitations, and goals, and will be able to guide you to your highest possible level of health.
Communication
As in any good partnership, communication is at the foundation of a doctor-patient relationship. In concierge medicine, the door (or phone line or patient portal) is always open to you. You may get home from your appointment and realize you have more questions. Or maybe you develop new symptoms, or you are not tolerating a new medication you started taking. Sometimes you just need reassurance, or advice, on whether or not you need urgent or emergency treatment. In a concierge medical practice, the doctor is available to answer your questions and offer advice.
Trust, Honesty, and Respect
Effective communication can only take place in a safe environment. The relationship between a patient and concierge doctor is built on trust, honesty, and respect. As a unique individual, it is understood that you deserve respect and have the right to make decisions without judgment. You can trust that your concierge doctor will be honest with you and will also preserve your right to make decisions. Likewise, the trust that is built between you and your doctor will allow you to be honest, and will cultivate the mutual respect that is inherent within this special relationship. Under this umbrella of trust, honesty, and respect, you give your doctor the opportunity to really get to know you. It is never possible to truly walk in someone else’s shoes, but building a strong relationship with your doctor allows him or her the chance to see you through the lens of empathy and compassion.
Commitment
Finally, at the foundation of a concierge doctor-patient relationship is the unquestionable commitment he or she will have to you and your health. The purpose of a concierge medical practice is to provide more personal, comprehensive, and individualized care to each patient. As you enter into a relationship with your concierge doctor, you should be reassured that your best interest is always at the forefront. As time goes on, the bond between doctor and patient is destined to grow, as this is a relationship that is built to last.
If you are interested in finding out more about concierge medicine or the relationship you might have with a concierge doctor, call Rockville Concierge Doctors at (301) 545-1811 to request an appointment, or request a meet-and-greet online. We look forward to hearing from you.
