You researched concierge medicine, and it seemed like a good fit. You found a concierge doctor you liked, and you enrolled in a concierge medical practice. You were excited to get started. Problem is, things didn't turn out as you expected.

So what should you do if you're unhappy with your concierge medical practice? Here's what to keep in mind.

Ask yourself whether the problem is the doctor or the concierge model.

A concierge doctor might have all the right credentials and seem like the perfect fit on paper. But personality can go a long way in making or breaking the doctor-patient relationship. If your concierge MD's personality rubs you the wrong way, consider interviewing other doctors and switching to a different concierge practice.

If the doctor is the right fit, but the concierge model isn't what you expected, you'll need to figure out if you can address the issues or if you need to transition back to traditional healthcare. For example, if the cost is beyond your reach, then a concierge practice might not be the best choice for you—at least, not right now.

Re-evaluate your expectations.

A concierge medical practice isn't a panacea for everything that's wrong with medicine today. For example, if you're dealing with a chronic illness, you might have hoped working with a concierge practice might have helped diminish symptoms. But so much more goes into treating chronic conditions than simply regular access to your doctor (a hallmark of the concierge medical model). So it's important to re-evaluate your expectations and make sure they're in line with what a concierge practice can actually deliver.

Of course, your expectations might indeed be realistic. For example, if your doctor gave you his or her cell phone and email, but never responds to your messages, then that is a real issue.

On the flip side, if you email your doctor at three o'clock in the morning with a non-urgent question and you're upset that you don't get a response until 8am, that's an example of an unrealistic expectation. (Doctors need to sleep, right?)

Talk to your doctor about your concerns.

If the problem isn't the doctor or an obstacle like cost, then have a sit down with your doctor to discuss the issues you're encountering. One of the reasons your concierge MD transitioned to this model is so that he or she could be more available to you—and so that you, in turn, have a better overall medical experience. If this isn't happening, you need to speak up and be honest.

Trust us—your concierge doctor wants to hear your concerns. Concierge medicine is new enough for many MDs that they understand there will be growing pains along the way. Your feedback—including the good, the bad, and the ugly—will prove invaluable to improving the practice.

By sharing your concerns with your doctor, you and him or her can work together towards a solution—and help create the positive, productive experience you were seeking all along.

Participate in any surveys.

This goes hand-in-hand with the previous point. Your feedback is important, so if the concierge medical practice offers you a survey, be sure to take it and provide honest opinions. Even if you're happy with the way things are going, it's important to share this positive feedback as well so that the doctor and his or her staff can continue doing more of what works well for patients.

Remember, regardless of the medical model you choose, you need to be your own advocate. So always speak up when you have concerns.

Find out if the concierge model is right for you with our free checklist.