Finally, a Good Doctor

Have you ever left a doctor’s appointment feeling defeated or lost? Me too. My experience is like many, we wait for weeks or months for an appointment, only to walk out with more questions than answers.

We’re left wondering who can help us in understanding what’s going on in our body and how can we get relief to our pain? Where are the doctors who can truly support us on this journey in managing migraine?

The role of primary care doctors

I believe that a good primary care doctor should be the foundation of all our care. We need to see specialists like neurologists, headache specialists, pain management doctors, etc. but having a good primary care doctor is key.

That’s why I struggled when I didn’t feel connected to my previous primary care doctor. She was just okay, but I need more than “okay.” I’m managing several health conditions and want to make sure that I’m staying on top of everything. I need a doctor who’s willing to be in the trenches with me. Can you relate?

How to find the right migraine doctor for you

You want someone who sees you as a whole person, not just a set of symptoms. Someone who goes beyond the standard checklists, to ask how you’re really doing. This kind of doctor may be rare and harder to find, but to my surprise, she does exist. And I found her. I had my new patient appointment yesterday and felt so seen, understood and supported.

So, I want to share with you how I found her in hopes that it can help in case you’re struggling to find the right doctor for you.

Start with recommendations

When it comes to finding a doctor whether it’s a primary care or specialist, I find recommendations to be the most important step. So, this is where I started. The key is to ask people who you know are aligned with your values and beliefs.

For me, this was one of my best friends and a fellow doctor. Both held the same value that I do for education in the conventional and functional medicine, so you tap into the best of both worlds on a case-by-case basis.

Pay attention when booking an appointment

They both gave solid recommendations, so I reached out to schedule an appointment. This step is often overlooked in the process of selecting a doctor but pay attention to your experience contacting the office and scheduling an appointment.

• Were you easily able to get through to the office staff?
• Were they kind and helpful in scheduling your appointment?
• Did they have good availability?

Personally, I don’t mind waiting for a new patient appointment, because I know good doctors are in demand, but I do ask what the typical wait is for follow up appointments. I want to know that once I’m in the practice I’ll be able to get an appointment in a timely manner.

What I look for in a doctor

Once I’m meeting with the doctor, I pay attention to the traditional steps of asking questions and giving a physical exam, but also how thorough they are and willing to think outside of the box.

In my appointment yesterday, my new doctor was taking so much time to understand my medical history both in reviewing my chart but also asking for my personal experience. She was so intentional to ensure that we were managing any medical needs based on my personal history, my age and my health concern/goals.

It felt like a breath of fresh air.

Are there any key differentiators?

It did stand out to me that this doctor was part of a women’s focused center in a major medical system. So, I liked the fact that she had the resources and connections to a big system, but the fact that she was working within a women’s center offered a more caring experience.

So, if you’re looking for a new doctor, my personal recommendation is to start with recommendations from people whom you are aligned with, do your research on them, and then if they feel like a good potential fit, reach out as early as possible to get on the new patient list.

What have you found helpful in seeking out good doctors to have on your health team? Share in the comments below so we can learn from you too!