For a long time, healthcare has been “do as directed” type of provider consumer relationship. But with the rising cost of healthcare and patient premiums, and the upcoming (hopefully positive) healthcare reform, patients need to start paying more attention to the care they receive and the options available to them. As patients we are consumers of the care we receive. Like all other service type entities, the consumers usually seek out the best service for the cost. However, healthcare seems to be different for the majority of consumers/patients.
Patients may choose a provider based on location, convenience of appointment times, or word of mouth. All of these are fine places to start when selecting your care. Once this initial care has been received, however, many consumers forget about being proactive with the direction that care is going to go. A patient often receives direction of care, whether it is a medication prescription for an ailment, a therapy referral for an injury, or a referral to a specialist for more in-depth evaluation and testing. Most of the time, patients are offered a choice of where they’d like their prescription to be sent. But it is the referrals to other healthcare providers where most patients forget that they have options.
As patients we have a choice of where we seek care.
I do not recommend that patients go against their healthcare providers’ direction or recommendation for care. I would simply like to encourage patients to be more proactive in their own healthcare. Seek out the best care for YOU. If referred to a surgeon, a therapist, or another specialist, seek out the many options you have and choose the best option for your care. Many providers can get into a habit of where they may send patients and it is a consumer’s job to control where and what service they receive. This is especially true in our community at this time. The Alexandria area is growing and drawing in more healthcare providers; more specialized care; more choices for consumers. We are fortunate to live in an area that is drawing more healthcare options; it is important for us to recognize this and take control of our own healthcare!
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