As anyone wearing a paper hospital gown knows, it can be difficult to feel relaxed while in care. But it doesn't have to be, Rebode said, and patients are within their right to seek what they need to be comfortable.
For example, if you are avoiding a doctor because you don't want to step on the scale, say no to the measurement. (You may be asked to provide a weight estimate in your medical record.)
If the maze-like process of accessing a new doctor (form stacking, vital signs, patient history) is challenging, talk to office staff about meeting your doctor first, Rebode said.
“There's an option to enter the healthcare system without jumping through all the hoops,” she said.
Are you nervous about certain steps? He asks about alternatives, Rebode said. A recent patient with localized breast pain was worried that the screening mammogram would cause her additional pain. Therefore, Reboard proposed a 3D tomography mammogram. This is considered more comfortable.