How to Choose a Doctor
Do Research, Ask Questions, Read Reviews
How to Choose The Right Doctor
Patients often search for new doctors for various reasons. For instance, they may need to have an immediate healthcare concern addressed or it could simply be time for a yearly physical. No matter the reason, choosing the right doctor is one of the most important decisions that someone can make. When deciding upon a new physician, many considerations must be made—from the doctor’s specialty to their years of experience to their hospital affiliations and even the patient’s own intuition becomes a factor. For some, this search can prove to be a daunting task, especially for individuals who have waited until they are ill or otherwise have developed a complex medical concern prior to making this important decision. Luckily, the search for a new doctor does not have to be difficult. The following are a few useful tips that can help a patient choose a doctor to best meet their healthcare needs.
The Right Doctor Can Keep You Healthy
Search For A Doctor
Many people find the search for a good doctor to be a challenging experience. With so many hospitals, practices and networks available to choose from, many people simply do not know where to begin. Still, choosing the best doctor is always about finding the best fit for the healthcare needs in question. In taking this approach, there are several considerations to keep in mind when looking for the right doctor.
The first step in this important decision-making process is to utilize all available resources. Not surprisingly, the most important resource to rely on is oneself! Begin by self-evaluating to determine the basic requirements that are needed from the new physician. Perhaps, the patient’s health is in good standing and all that is needed is a quick checkup or yearly physical. Or alternatively, there may be chronic medical needs that require an expert opinion. Additionally, understanding the type of provider that is needed is of equal importance. For instance, is a primary care physician, internist, family practitioner or other specialist required? Furthermore, consider whether or not visiting a single practice, where there is only one doctor is more comfortable, or if a clinic where there are multiple providers will suffice.
The following is a list of additional resources that can help in making the most informed decision when choosing a doctor:
Ask Friends or Family For Suggestions
Ask friends and family if they are seeing a good doctor and what they like or dislike about the physician. Seeking personal recommendations and word-of-mouth referrals is a great way to find a new doctor. References from friends and colleagues who have used a doctor in the past, or are currently patients, is a great way to determine how well a doctor works. From learning about the ways in which they interact with the patient, to how long their wait times are to how friendly they are, many relevant details can be obtained from these first-hand accounts provided by trusted loved ones.
Do Research Online
A deep dive into the internet will reveal a full list of local medical providers. This search will turn up information such as the doctor’s contact information, his or her credentials, their network affiliations, as well as information that can allude to their reputation. In conducting research online, it will be important to review not only the doctor’s website but also their social media profiles in addition to online reviews. A solid social media presence is one way to reveal how well the doctor values his or her current and prospective patients. Social media accounts that feature helpful posts, links to relevant information and real-time responses to inquiries reveal a doctor who is both well-informed and concerned about the public. You may use a search like "best doctors near me", the results could give you top-rated doctors in your area, specialists and experts in their field. For example if you search "best vein doctor in NJ" you will get a list of vein experts near you. You can run the same search for any medical expert in your area and learn about their practice and expertise from the search results. Online reviews from real patients are another excellent way to use the internet to conduct research on the doctor. In reading online reviews it will be important to consider both positive and negative reviews. Positive reviews will reveal the good qualities about the doctor, whereas negative reviews may expose red flags that could prove the doctor to be a poor fit for the patient’s needs.
Check With the Insurance Carrier
Insurance carriers are reliable sources of information regarding individual medical providers. Most insurance carriers provide their customers with a comprehensive list of local medical providers. For instance, insurance carriers will provide the name, contact information, specialties and hospital affiliations the doctor is connected to. Checking with an insurance carrier is important because their list will reveal which doctors are in-network, or which services are actually covered by the insurance plan. Keep in mind that out-of-network providers often come with steep out-of-pocket expenses.
Prior to the Appointment
In considering more ways to choose a doctor near you, it will be important to think about other areas that will prove the doctor to be a good fit. Often, it helps to sit down and think about what’s most important to the patient when it comes to a doctor. The following is a list of questions to consider prior to making an appointment that can help in choosing a new medical provider.
Questions to Ask
· What are the doctor’s normal office hours and are there accommodations for non-standard visits? Many patients work during the day and may need to see a physician who has non-standard hours, including weekend or evening hours. Also, some doctors have limited schedules or may travel to different locations during the week. It will be important to pay attention to when the doctor is available and to determine if they have flexibility in scheduling appointments.
· What insurance carrier does the doctor accept? It will also be imperative to confirm whether or not the doctor in question accepts the patient’s health insurance. This will help to avoid costly out of pocket expenses associated with out-of-network physicians.
· What hospital network is the doctor affiliated with? Also, think about the reputation of the hospital or clinic the doctor works for. Some hospitals or medical networks are prestigious and well-known for their quality of care. However, there may be others that have poor reputations within the community. A doctor who is affiliated with a top-quality hospital is a good indicator of their ability to provide the best care possible with access to a modern network of resources.
· What is the nearest office location to the place of residence or work? Travel time is another factor that may weigh heavily on the decision to choose one doctor over another. Some patients prefer to travel short distances from home or work, whereas others do not mind a longer commute. No matter the preference, choose a doctor that best meets the specific needs of the patient.
· What are the doctor’s qualifications? Also, consider the doctor’s knowledge, education and training. This includes proper licensing as well as board certifications. Each state issues medical licenses for physicians. To confirm licensing, check with the state’s licensing board for additional information. It may also be helpful to confirm where the doctor went to medical school and where he or she completed their residency.
· How long has the doctor been in practice? Another way to determine a doctor’s suitability is to review how long they have formally been in practice. For instance, a doctor who has over twenty years of experience may be preferable over a doctor with only 1-2 years of experience.
· Are there any malpractice claims listed with the state? Another way to decide on if a doctor is a good fit is to check with the state to confirm any instances of malpractice or other litigation. Such blemishes could prove the doctor to be unethical or an otherwise unsuitable choice. Unhealthy behavior such as substance abuse or even poor grades for sanitation can be cause for malpractice concerns.
Scheduling the First Appointment
Once a suitable match has been found, contact the doctor to schedule the first appointment. During this initial visit it will be important to pay close attention to the personal qualities of the doctor to ensure a long-term relationship can be established. Remember, choose a doctor who is not only qualified but also choose one who has the right qualities to provide the most competent and caring medical experience possible. Here are some of the top qualities to look for when choosing a doctor:
· Professionalism. First impressions are everything and a new doctor should go above and beyond expectations when interacting with a patient for the first time. This includes presenting him or herself professionally and treating the patient with the utmost respect. This also includes refraining from judging the patient and their health status. The doctor should always make the patient feel comfortable and welcome in his or her medical establishment.
· Good Listening Skills. Listening is paramount when assessing the healthcare needs of the patient. During the first appointment pay close attention to how well the doctor is listening. Does the doctor listen patiently and pay attention to what the patient is saying? Also, does the doctor show genuine interest in the health of the patient and their symptoms?
· Patience. Also, pay close attention to whether or not the doctor takes their time. Did they rush through the appointment or did they work with patience, trying to understand the patient’s needs and concerns?
· Friendliness. A friendly, smiling face will quickly put a patient at ease. A welcoming atmosphere should be provided that ensures the patient feels comfortable during their appointment. What’s more is that not only should the doctor display friendliness, but so should their staff. This goes hand-in-hand with the doctor’s personality and whether the patient feels they can get along with this doctor. In other words, how well does the doctor build rapport with the patient?
· Shows Compassion. Another important area to consider is the level of compassion shown to the patient. In other words, does the doctor display concern, empathy and care?
· Thoughtful Explanations. Good communication skills are important. Therefore, consider whether or not the doctor provides an overview of the condition and then describes it in laymen’s terms, steering clear of technical medical jargon that is not easily understood. The doctor should take the time to answer in a knowledgeable but caring way that is easily understood by the average person.
· A Thorough Examination. Another important thing to pay close attention to is how well the doctor performs the examination. For example, do they perform a thorough examination or do they cut corners and skip important information? Scrutinizing the doctor’s performance in this manner will reveal their attention to detail and care for their patients.
· Modern Technology. The medical field is always evolving and this also applies to the technology the doctor uses. If the doctor has modern software to contact the customer such as a patient portal or even uses modern technology within the office such as a tablet to take notes, this may be a good indicator that their facilities are modern and up-to-date.
Intuition. Lastly if all else fails, trust intuition to lead the way. If something does not feel right about the doctor, simply choose another one. The doctor chosen should leave the patient with the sense that he or she is trustworthy, honest and is someone who works with integrity.
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is this: choose a doctor who is competent and who has the potential to build a long-standing relationship with the patient. A doctor will ultimately be entrusted with the patient’s health so it is crucial that the best match is made. There is no one way to judge which doctor will be the best fit, but there are various ways to narrow down the list for satisfactory outcomes. Taking the necessary time to choose someone who can be trusted will be key in choosing a good doctor.
While many people choose a new doctor at some point in their lives, beginning a search for a doctor can feel like an overwhelming task. However, this does not have to be the case. Choose the right doctor the first time around by following these simple steps. For people who do not already have a doctor, there are many ways to search for one. Choosing the right healthcare provider always begins with conducting research, using all available resources and taking an inventory of what’s important in a new physician. Excellent healthcare outcomes can be obtained by choosing a doctor who is a good fit. Remember, interactions with a doctor are about long-term relationship building. Follow these helpful strategies to find a doctor near you today. Ultimately, the right doctor can help in obtaining a healthy, happy life.