If you're not feeling well, the logical thing to do is go to a doctor and get checked out. You don't think about it too much; you go in, explain what's wrong, and once you're out, you know what's up and what to do about it.

That's the bare minimum doctors are supposed to do, but unfortunately, being treated properly is beginning to be like winning the lottery.

Many doctors are ethical people who deserve your trust, but there are also those who think they can exploit the fact that they wear a white coat and work with vulnerable patients. Of course, being on the lookout for those all the time would make you paranoid. 

So, instead of doing that, why not learn to recognize some red flags?

Is Everything Alright? 5 Signs That It Is NOT.

Before we dive deeper into these topics, it’s very important that we discern that there’s a difference between ‘one weird moment’ and an actual red flag. So if you’ve had one bad experience, this doesn’t automatically label a doctor or an entire facility/institution as ‘bad’. Of course, it depends on what has happened. But still. We choose ‘weird’ for a reason. 

There tend to be lots of things that are morally ok, they abide by the law, but still, there’s something distasteful about them.

In this article, we’ll only be covering ACTUAL red flags – things/moments/situations where you should always think twice about them.

Keep in mind that doctors are people, too, and they have bad days just like everyone else. With that being said, some things are simply inexcusable. You read about stuff like the misconduct by Dr Tyler James Hurst that happened recently and all the accusations and legal battles that followed. You hear things like that all the time, and you probably think to yourself that many victims could’ve been saved if someone had spoken up sooner. 

And maybe they would have, only if they knew that what was happening wasn't okay.

You Feel Like You're Talking to a Wall

You've had this terrible, sharp pain that hasn't been going away for weeks, but the doctor cuts you off in the middle of your explanation and says it's probably nothing. This surely feels frustrating for you, the patient.

With that being said, you shouldn't feel like the doctor you're speaking with is paying no attention to what you're saying, because what's the point of that appointment then? 

You could've talked to a mirror that way.

Everything Feels Rushed

Clinics are busy places, so no one in their right mind expects a 3-hour chat over a latte. 

Still, you shouldn't feel like anyone's trying to get rid of you or rush you. If the doctor is walking into an office and they're already looking at their watch, that's not a good sign. It's also not okay if they start to pressure you into choosing this medication or that procedure without explaining some alternatives or at least giving you a reason for why they're insisting.

In this case, the smartest thing you could do is get a second opinion.

Your Gut Tells You Something Isn't Right

Sometimes, you can't exactly pinpoint what's wrong, but you feel that something is. 

Maybe the doctor is standing too close to you or makes an inappropriate joke. You're already stressed because you're not feeling good, so it would be easy to dismiss this as "no big deal." But it IS a big deal.

When you're feeling vulnerable, that's when trust matters more than ever, and when your gut tells you this isn't a person who deserves your trust, it means that your brain has noticed small things that your conscious mind isn't quite aware of yet. 

It's okay to trust your own feelings.

Special Treatment For LGBTQ Patients Still in 2026

Approximately 18% of people who identify as LGBTQ+ in the U.S. have stated they avoid health care simply because they’re afraid they’ll be discriminated against. And the statistics show that they aren’t paranoid. 

They know it’s happening. They know it STILL happens. And they do not want that same thing happening to them.

Being required to explain to the doctor that you’re married to someone who shares the same gender as you is exhausting. Or being automatically grouped into something like specific pronoun usage is equally exhausting.

Some LGBT patients even run into providers who simply don't have the knowledge about their health needs, like which cancer screenings transgender men need or the fact that lesbians might still need counseling on preventing pregnancies.

Receiving appropriate care shouldn't be special treatment, and yet, far too many times, it is.

The Doctor Makes Assumptions About Who You Are

A young woman has chest pain, but the doctor doesn't run any tests and says it's anxiety. A senior says they feel tired all the time, and the doctor just says it's normal for their age. 

This, as well as all similar-type situations, has a name – unconscious bias. This is very common in healthcare.

And beyond just hurt feelings and making for awkward/uncomfortable situations, whenever you, as a doctor, make assumptions (e.g., based on age, gender, race, weight, looks, sexuality, etc.), you’re at risk of providing a missed diagnosis.

And nobody has to tell you how that can end up.

Conclusion

You know how they say good doctors are hard to find? Well… there's truth to that.

When you think of an unprofessional doctor, you won’t just picture someone who’s shouting or touching patients inappropriately. You’ll also picture someone who doesn’t pay attention to what their patients are saying. You’ll picture someone trying to get rid of the patient ASAP.

Sure, these later things aren't AS dramatic, but they’re equally impactful. In fact, they can be more dangerous than the first two.

If there's no trust and respect (on both sides!), then you need another doctor. 

But before you go somewhere else, it would be smart to report your concerns because bad doctors shouldn't be allowed to get away with their behavior.

The views, opinions, and recommendations expressed in this article are solely those of the author and are provided for informational and editorial purposes only. They do not constitute professional advice and should not be relied upon as such. OutSFL makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content and assumes no liability for any actions taken based on it. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of OutSFL.