For people with the freedom to choose who takes care of their health, I offer three questions for choosing the right healthcare provider.
Sometimes patients have limited options regarding healthcare choices due to the limits of participating providers within a managed care health insurance plan’s network. Other people with different types of health insurance have the freedom to choose out-of-network providers. Many patients today are choosing to pay out-of-pocket for cash-based healthcare providers in order to seek specialty care.
How to go about choosing the right healthcare provider
For patients who have freedom in choosing the right healthcare provider, I offer three questions that you can ask yourself to determine if you are working with the right provider:
- Do they appear to care about you?
- Are they able to explain your condition and their treatment plan in a way that you understand?
- Are you getting the results that you want from their care?
The answer to each of those questions should be “yes” in order for you to know for sure that you are choosing the right healthcare provider.
I often hear from patients that they feel like they are rushed through their medical appointments and herded through the office like cattle. That makes the patient feel that the provider does not care about them as an individual.
If that is the case, it is important to seek out care from a provider who makes you feel like they care about you and will take the time needed to truly listen.
Other patients tell me that their healthcare provider talked way over their head so they were not comfortable asking questions, and they left the visit feeling confused about their medical condition and the treatment plan.
If a provider truly understands the details of your medical condition, the provider should be able to explain it to you in a way that you understand and welcome your questions to clear up any confusion.
I have also heard from patients that they really like their provider personally but they are not getting the expected results that they anticipated from the consultation. That sounds more an acquaintance you would want to meet for coffee, not the the right healthcare provider for you.
I experienced that myself when I was seeing a chiropractor I really liked for 2-3 years but my condition was not really improving. Once I got more confidence with choosing the right healthcare provider and developed the courage to switch to another provider, I made major improvements!
So if you have the freedom in choosing the right healthcare provider, I highly recommend making sure that you can answer “yes” to all three questions.
Disclaimer
This blog is provided for informational purposes only. The content and any comments by Dr. Kim Bell, DPT are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The details of any case mentioned in this post represent a typical patient that Dr. Bell might see and do not describe the circumstances of a specific individual.
Do you have any recommendations for the Houston, TX area or how I can find the right provider/specialist?
Hi Carina,
I emailed you on July 20 with specific suggestions for a vestibular provider near you.
However, I did not yet receive a confirmation message from you stating that you received my email.
So I just sent that email again today.
If you do not see it, please check your spam or junk folder.
Best wishes,
Kim Bell, DPT
I have been dizzy since pregnancy I had a miscarriage since then and I’m still feeling very dizzy, vertigo I will call it it’s affecting my daily life please help
Hi Irene,
I am so sorry to hear about your miscarriage – and the dizziness and vertigo!
This blog may help you find a provider in your area.
This blog has home remedies that may help.
I wish you all the best!
Sincerely,
Kim Bell, DPT
I’ve seen a neurologist and ENT, both diagnosed BPPV with physical therapy as recommended.
Both physical therapy treatments did not work (approximately 5 to 10 treatments total). These were done in different cities. I have severe ROM in my neck which may be hindering the outcome? I just know the dizziness can be a big problem as I am 72 yrs old and don’t want any falls. It also hinders my ability to have other medical procedures as I can’t lay flat or turn to the right as my head (esp right eye) feels like its rapidly spinning. Then comes the cold sweat and nausea. Usually a long sleep helps me to function again. Can you recommend a specialist who isn’t geared toward PT only. I’d love it if associated with UF in Gainesville, FL Thanks
Hi Donna,
In Florida, I usually recommend searching for providers at Dizzy.com.
You can also search on the Provider Directory Vestibular.org.
You will likely want to find a vestibular physical therapist who can perform particle repositioning maneuvers.
I hope that helps!
Kindly,
Kim Bell, DPT
I have been diagnosed with Meniere’s. That basically means “Sorry, you got to live with this. There is no cure”.
I am on low salt diet, taking diuretics, thyroid medication. I have low frequency hearing loss, tinnitus and getting imbalance episodes every 3-5 days.
I am also doing vestibular PT.
Will the imbalance go away once I lose all hearing in that ear?
The condition is debilitating and I take meclizine to relive the imbalance.
Is there a better alternative to meclizine?
Thanks fot all the information you have provided
Hi Monika,
No the imbalance will not likely go away once you lose all the hearing in that ear.
You will likely continue to need vestibular physical therapy to re-integrate your balance after each vertigo episode.
It sounds like you are doing all the right things to manage Meniere’s but you continue to have bad episodes, so I wonder if something else is going on or if you need the next step in management on Meniere’s disease.
You may consider taking steps to rule out autoimmune inner ear disease with a local endocrinologist or rheumatologist, or some other naturopath or integrative medicine doctor, who can run specific bloodwork (labs) to see if your immune system is attacking your ears.
Also, you may want to talk to your doctor about the Meniett device. Here is a link.
If you truly have Meniere’s disease that is not responding to dietary changes and medications, then that Meniett device may be an appropriate next step for a true Meniere’s condition.
Your doctor can advise you on that.
Best wishes,
Kim Bell, DPT
First of all thank you for this blog. I’ve been suffering from vertigo for a couple of years now. I’ve had a hearing test, and see an ENT that’s not doing a darn thing. My symptoms is when I lay on my left side I get very dizzy. Now it recently doing the same thing on my right side. I Recently had a tooth extracted and made it worse. I can’t walk due to the room spinning. Can you refer me to a vestibular physical therapist in San Antonio, Texas
Thank you so much.
Hi Esther,
I can highly recommend Bridgett Wallace, PT, DPT at 360 Balance & Dizziness Clinic. She is a highly respected vestibular physical therapist.
She is located in Austin, TX but she offers telehealth, so you can at least get started over the phone or video. You may decide to travel to see her or maybe she can refer you to someone in San Antonio.
You can find her clinic at this link.
Please tell her I sent you.
I hope you feel better soon!
Sincerely,
Kim Bell, DPT
I have dizziness (my doctor called it Vertigo) for about 15 years already to the point that I can hardly walk unless I hold onto my husband’s arm for support. I’ve been at every doctor, therapist, ENT, Chiropractor, had every test possible, taking Meclizine 25mg, etc. but nothing and nobody has been capable of helping my condition. I beg you to please give me a doctor that can bring me back. My recent doctors are turning a deaf ear to my condition.
Hi Emilia,
I am so sorry to hear your story.
This blog may help you find a provider in your area who specializes in vestibular care.
This blog has vertigo home remedies that may help.
This blog has a list of questions that you can use to organize your story for a quick review by any new provider.
I hope you find answers and relief soon!
Sincerely,
Kim Bell, DPT