If the thought of scheduling a visit with your doctor sounds like something you’d rather not do, you are not alone. A trip to your local medical clinic can sometimes cause a bit of anxiety and the truth of the matter is that millions of other people around the country are feeling the same way you are. Fortunately for you, the primary care team at Medics USA is here to help make things just a little bit easier on you.
At the end of the day, our job is to provide our patients with the things they need to be happy and healthy. Can we guarantee that after reading today’s post that you will have completely changed your mind, lost your nervousness, and will pick up the phone and call your primary care doctor to schedule an appointment? Unfortunately not, but what we can do is provide you with a few tools to make things a bit easier for you. Keep reading to learn more!
What Is The Cause Of Your Anxiety?
For some people, seeing a doctor is something they put off because they are concerned about money and worried that their insurance won’t cover the costs fully. For others, a trip to the doctor means reliving some painful family history that might force you to re-examine your own lifestyle and make some changes. Some may even have had a negative experience at a younger age that makes them skeptical of all doctors. Whatever your reason for being nervous about a trip to the doctor, we have a few tips for you that will hopefully help to ensure that you can schedule your appointment without any anxiety or fear.
Speak With Your Doctor Beforehand
One of the best things you can do if you deal with anxiety about a doctor’s appointment is to speak with the staff beforehand. When you call to make an appointment, mention that you are feeling anxious and ask if there’s a possibility of speaking with your doctor directly. In many cases, your doctor will call you back and you can let him or her know that the situation makes you nervous. This might be all it takes to help lessen your fear and help you to confidently head to your appointment.
Use Your Time in the Waiting Room Wisely
You can also take advantage of the time before your appointment in order to prepare yourself. Many clinics have magazines to help you pass the time between when you show up for your appointment and when the doctor is able to see you. At best, these magazines serve as poor distractions. Other times, televisions will be on in the background, but these too can be hard to focus on. Instead, start a book by your favorite author a few days before your appointment and take it with you. Having something to look forward and keep your mind occupied might just do the trick.
Alternatively, you could bring a crossword puzzle, a handheld video game, or even a bit of knitting to do while you are in the waiting room. To put it simply, just be certain that you have something that you know can occupy your mind effectively so you don’t become too nervous. Whatever your method of keeping your brain busy looks like, it will help you to pass the time much more quickly, therefore reducing the amount of stress that you feel during your appointment.
Voice Your Concerns During Your Appointment
Whether you called beforehand or not, one of the best things you can do during your appointment is to just be honest with your doctor. Let him or her know how you’re feeling as the appointment moves forward and you will be pleasantly surprised to find that your doctor will go above and beyond to ensure that you feel as comfortable as possible. Doctors all across the United States are aware that people don’t want to come in for a visit because they are afraid of hearing that there is something wrong. That also means that they are well equipped to handle situations just like this.
At Medics USA, we’ll do everything we can to ensure that you’re comfortable. Whether you mention your anxiety when you call to schedule your appointment or you feel more comfortable bringing it up directly with your doctor, you should know that we take situations like yours very seriously. After all, our mission is to make sure that each and every one of our patients gets the treatment that he or she needs to be happy and healthy. It’s as simple as that.
Schedule an Appointment Today
From annual checkups to physicals to wellness counseling to immunizations, at Medics USA our goal is to be a resource that our patients can trust. We are currently accepting new patients at all of our offices, so if you have been feeling anxiety about finding a new doctor, rest assured that our team is here to take great care of you. No matter why you are experiencing nervousness, at Medics USA, you’ll get the treatment you need to be happy and healthy. Let us show you just how much we care.
Whether you need to schedule an appointment for your kids or for yourself, Medics USA is here to be your primary care provider in Ashburn, Falls Church, or D.C. Learn more here and then schedule an appointment today. We look forward to seeing you!