When it comes time to look for a new doctor, the search is never easy. Whether you’re looking for a primary care physician or a specialist, you may find yourself browsing over dozens of names. You want to know if the doctor has a good track record and how well he or she interacts with patients. Here are 10 tips to help you choose the right doctor for you.
- Check his or her credentials.
It isn’t difficult to check a doctor’s credentials, and doing so can save you a lot of time. When you look at certifications and credentials, you will have all the knowledge you need concerning schooling requirements. You are also much more likely to get quality care with doctors who are certified. You can research your doctor’s certification at Certification Matters. - Get recommendations from friends and family.
Your family and friends will know who to trust when it comes to your medical needs. There is a good chance that you'll hear a few names you can cross off your list or names you’ll want to look into. Recommendations are the quickest route to finding a great doctor. - Think about your insurance plan.
Many insurance plans require you to go “in-network.” This term means you have to find doctors that are covered by your insurance plan. Each plan has a unique network of doctors, so it’s important to know who you can and cannot see. Calling your insurance company will help you choose without costing an arm and a leg. - Read online reviews.
Like with some other things, you can read up on doctors online. There are websites that allow you to read reviews of doctors around the United States. Physicians are evaluated in different ways, but one of the most important ways is through user comments. HealthGrades is an excellent website to find out what other people think of various physicians. - Visit local doctors.
Go to a local physician’s office and keep a log of how much you liked him or her. Ask yourself about how easy it was to schedule an appointment and if the doctor listened to your concerns. Do you trust the doctor? Did he or she spend an adequate amount of time with you? Keep your thoughts in a journal so you know who to never visit again. - Consider a specialist.
If you’re having very specific issues, it might be worth it to visit a specialist. Specialists have training in particular medical areas. For example, if you’re having heart issues, consider visiting a cardiologist rather than a primary care physician. If you’re having issues with your feet, visit a podiatrist. These doctors will know more about your issue and know the best way to help you. - Ask questions during your visit.
When you visit a physician, don’t be afraid to ask questions. You’re paying the doctor, so feel free to conduct an interview of sorts. If you are curious about a doctor’s credentials or if he or she specializes in a certain area, just ask. Be sure to write a list of questions before the visit so you don’t forget anything. - Inquire about after-hours policies.
Sometimes things happen outside of business hours. If you have an issue at 10 p.m., you want to know your doctor is there for you. If it’s the weekend, and you need a prescription filled, what is your doctor’s policy? A physician's after-hours policy can be a significant factor when choosing a doctor. - Ask about hospital affiliation.
Most doctors are affiliated with a hospital, meaning that if you need something done in a hospital, you will be referred to the particular hospital where he or she is affiliated. If you don’t like a certain hospital or you have a preference for one over another, affiliation may be an important issue to you. A physician’s affiliation may also indicate if the doctor will visit you, should you have an issue and need to be hospitalized. - Observe the office technology.
Offices with up-to-date technology make things easier for the patient, doctor, and staff. If the technology is current, you can be sure that your records will go to the correct person when you need it. Paper can be difficult to keep track of, and an office with great technology will likely be more efficient.
