It’s easy to get distracted when you visit the doctor. Your mind might be racing as you try to figure out what’s wrong—and to avoid the possibility of dealing with something that’s serious. It’s important that you do pay attention, though, especially if you care about the quality of your care. Below are just three reasons why you need to pay attention.

Looking at Customer Service

While you generally visit the doctor’s office because you are ill, it’s important to remember that you are still dealing with a customer service transaction. If you aren’t paying attention, you might fall prey to certain billing practices that don’t serve you well. If you look closely, you might actually save some money by making sure that everyone at the doctor’s office is doing his or her job. While most offices are completely above-board, it’s still your job to make sure that everyone is being honest during the transaction.

You Are the Primary Witness

Doctors go to school for many years to learn how to treat their patients. What many forget, though, is that the primary way that a doctor can learn about your illness is by actually listening to you. If you are distracted or not giving the right kind of information, your doctor may not be able to help you. If you are feeling something, you must always have the presence of mind to tell a doctor about what is going on. While it’s not always easy to keep your wits about yourself while ill, it’s something that’s quite important if you want to get better.

Looking for Mistakes

Finally, you must pay attention so that you can make sure your doctor is doing his or her job correctly. If you feel like you aren’t being treated correctly, there really could be a problem. Doctors are just as capable of making mistakes as anyone else and you certainly don’t want to deal with any issue that could rise to the level of malpractice. Serious cases require a specialty lawyer like those at Otorowski Morrow and Golden, PLLC. If you are paying attention and you voice your concerns, you may be able to avoid a very real problem and months of complicated legal. At the very least, stating your concerns now may be able to help you later.

Always pay attention when you visit a doctor. Make sure you are billed correctly, that your doctor is treating you correctly, and that you provide the information that he or she needs. You are a much more important part of the healthcare equation than you might realize.