When it comes to choosing a family doctor, there are many things that you need to consider. You are entrusting the health of yourself and your entire family to someone who is a complete stranger. How do you make sure that you are making the correct choice? Here are a few tips to help you get started.
Ask for advice
Talk to your family, co-workers, and friends. Find out who their doctor is and what they like about them. Also, ask them things they don't like. Are phone calls returned? Does the office overbook? Does the doctor encourage you to ask questions? Will you feel comfortable giving control of your medical treatment to this person?
Does this doctor have a good bedside manner? While being a good doctor is more important than having a good bedside manner, it is also important for your peace of mind to feel that your doctor knows and cares about you.
Do your research
Go to the AMA website and make sure that the physician you are considering is a member. The American Medical Association can provide basic information on the doctor you are considering. Go to your state's medical board online. You will be able to see if they have been sued for malpractice or censured for any type of questionable conduct. This can be very important especially if you see a pattern of patient complaints.
See for yourself
Make a visit to the doctor’s office. Just seeing the office can tell you a lot about not only the doctor but the office staff. Is the office clean, does the staff welcome you when you come into the waiting room? Is the waiting room filled to overflowing?
These are all things you will want to consider. Keep in mind that the staff is equally as important as the doctor. Often you have much more contact with the nurse and the receptionist than you do with the actual doctor.
Taking on a whole group
Is the doctor you are considering in a single practice or part of a larger group practice? Both of them have their positives and their negatives. If you only see one doctor on every visit there is more chance they will get to know you, however, what happens when they go on vacation? You will be seeing someone who has never seen you before.
Convenience
Where is the office located? Is it easy for you to get to and easy to find parking? These are two very important things to consider. Is it close to the lab where the doctor may send you for tests? Can you get there using public transportation? All these are considerations you have to take into account. What are the office hours, do they offer Saturday or evening hours for "well" visits? Who covers the late night and early morning hours?
Insurance issues
These days, one of the most important considerations is, does this doctor accept your insurance and on the flip side does your insurance allow you to choose this doctor. You may want to get a list of local physicians who are accepted by your insurance company before you even begin to think about who you would like to use.
At the end of the day, you may just have to make the best choice possible and hope it is a good fit. If it isn't, don't be afraid to go out and try to find a doctor who does meet your needs. Shopping for a doctor is really just like shopping for anything else. You don't have to settle, you can change your mind and you can move on to a new doctor. You have choices and it is your right to make them.
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