FIND A MEDIC WHO LOOKS YOU IN THE EYE

RESPECT is crucial and how the doctor addresses you is telling. You want a doctor who looks you right in the eye, with kindness and respect.

If he doesn’t make eye contact, he doesn’t see you as a human being and will be treating you as a blood test, condition or body part. That could be bad news for your health.

Similarly, does your doctor really listen? And ask questions about you and your life?

Physicians and patients have been indoctrinated that our personal lives are relevant only to a psychologist or therapist — but nothing could be further from the truth.

Everything that happens to you affects your health. No part of you operates independently.

If the doctor doesn’t ask personal questions, he won’t be able to provide the correct treatment you need as an individual.

You also want a doctor who encourages you to ask questions, without making you feel stupid for doing so. There is no such thing as a stupid question.

We have been conditioned by the arrogance of the medical profession to think we are less important than the doctor, hence our questions are stupid.

If a doctor looks down his nose at you, ignores your questions or answers you in a condescending tone, you have to move on — whether you’re a private patient or seeing an NHS doctor.