Living in our modern digital age comes with countless benefits. Communication and productivity have improved in far too many ways to mention at a societal level. When it comes to our personal lives, we see the benefits in how simple it is to chat with loved ones across the globe, or simply the ease with which we order dinner via an application on our phones.
An oversaturation of information has a few downsides, however, as sifting through hordes of data without the ability to discern between accurate and inaccurate information can be difficult. This is especially true when it comes to guidance on health, wellbeing, and which medical professionals to see. It is for this reason that a “clinics near me” online search might not always yield the most appropriate results, but rather, simply those nearest to you. Below, we take a look at eight aspects an online search won’t always tell you, and how to find a clinic that offers you the best possible service and expertise.
Whether You Can Expect Compassionate Care
When it comes to receiving the help you need, expert knowledge far outweighs bedside manner. Finding a practitioner with whom you feel comfortable, though, is essential. Medical professionals at clinics are meant to offer understanding and empathy, and most of all, make the patient feel heard. A caring and sincere doctor or specialist, for example, is far more likely to leave a patient feeling positive and empowered about their health. Unfortunately, searching for clinics online is no way to guarantee that the practice closest to you will offer attentive compassion during consultations.
How Open and Responsive the Practitioners Are
An accurate diagnosis rests largely on how well the patient can communicate, and how well the doctor can listen. Being open also means that medical professionals have to respect the lifestyles and wishes of patients, while still offering truthful and meaningful advice. Some doctors offer more conservative treatments, while others prescribe treatments at the forefront of medical technology – finding someone who responds to your knowledge and autonomy when it comes to your health is key.
How Updated the Medical Professionals Are
Medicine is a science that is continually advancing and changing – and you don’t want to get stuck with a practitioner whose knowledge is a few decades behind. Through an online search alone, it is almost impossible to gauge whether the clinics you find will provide you with advanced methods of diagnosis and treatment, or whether you will be stuck with a doctor who hasn’t stayed up to date with advancements in the medical field.
What Their Reputation is Really Like
Online searches might show you a few reviews from patients, but this is not always the best way to spot a medical centre with a stellar reputation. To find such a practice, you will need to do a little extra research. It helps to ask questions such as how long the clinic has been operating, what type of specialists work there, and how established they are in the community. Visiting them before the booking will also answer questions about how busy they are at a specific time and how well they interact with the public.
How Your Time Will Be Treated
It is normal to wait a few minutes for your consultation with a medical doctor – this simply means they are trying to give everyone as much attention as their timeslot allows them. Waiting too long, however, just to be assessed for five minutes or less, is disrespectful of the patient’s time. Unfortunately, one cannot tell from a clinic’s online listing or website how much attention and time patients can expect to be given from professionals. Before booking a consultation, give the clinic a call to ask about waiting and consultation times.
Whether They Have the Right Credentials and Affiliations
Not every practitioner who advertises themselves online is qualified to tout the claims they do. Be wary of wellness and health practitioners who do not have the right credentials and affiliations behind their name and will thus only waste your time and money. Unfortunately, searching “clinics near me” online might not always give you results of licenced medical doctors and practices, so it is better to ask for evidence of this when visiting if you are unsure.
How Much they Tailor Treatment to Your Needs
Every patient is different – and not just in personality or preferences. The same blood test can yield vastly different results for two people, and doctors should never take a one-size-fits-all approach to their patients. Unfortunately, this is the case for many busy clinics that see patients day in and out and apply a similar template in terms of treatment for many patients. This might not just lead to a patient feeling unheard but may cause the doctor to give patients the wrong diagnosis and treatment under the assumption they are similar to other patients they have seen in the past. Sadly, an online search alone is not going to tell you whether you can expect a customised treatment plan based on your unique health profile.
Whether the Setting Looks Neat and Professional
Sometimes online listings of clinics or their websites feature photos displaying beautifully pristine settings. These images and the online brand are carefully curated to show the best of what a medical facility has to offer – but they might not always reflect reality. The only way to truly know whether the clinics nearest to you are tidy, hygienic, and professional-looking, is to visit each one – but this process takes time that not all patients always have.
Here at Intercare, we understand that finding a medical clinic near you is never as simple as picking and choosing from a few results on the Internet. It takes research and doing some extra homework – and even then, there is no guarantee of the type of consultation you will receive. With us at the Intercare Group, however, you can rely upon a national reputation for excellence and commitment to each patient. Our state-of-the-art medical facilities and experienced professionals are here for you, no matter your needs. What’s best is that our online booking system is a breeze to navigate, and making your appointment takes no time at all.
If you would like to make a booking at one of our world-class medical centres with a doctor you can trust, simply click here.