How To Find A Good Doctor: Questions To Ask Medical Professionals

One of the most important health-related decisions anyone makes is picking the right physician. Because of the Affordable Care Act, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of people in the United States who have medical insurance and are searching for a good doctor to take care of their needs. Sure, you can check out physician’s listings and ratings on websites like Angie’s List or Yelp, but do you really want to pick out a doctor this way?

General Practitioners Or Primary Care Physicians

More commonly, an insurance plan will require a person to pick one physician to serve as a main resource for all their healthcare needs. This doctor will not only manage a person’s day-to-day health issues like the common cold or a twisted ankle, but they will also give referrals to specialists when needed and more importantly, oversee all aspects of care.

This makes sense because having open communication with your primary care physician helps ensure a person can get the right tests and treatments needed and avoids common issues, such as duplicate medical treatments from a wide variety of specialists.

What Do Government Agencies Know About Doctors?

At this current time, people have limited access to information about physicians. Though it is compiled by government agencies, it is not available to the public. A national database is filled with information about practitioners and it shows who has been fined (among other things), but the list is only available to hospitals and certain other groups. The Medicare program recently began a physician’s quality reporting database, but it is still fairly new and the information obtained is not yet available to the general public.

What Kind Of Doctor Do You Need?

At some point in time, it’s normal for a person to need different kinds of doctors. If one has special medical needs, the person’s health condition may require the help of a specialist or primary care physician that has experience with the individual’s ailment. It’s important to find a physician that suits your unique medical needs and that has dealt with the type of issues you’re having. If you’re completely lost as to who to seek help from, a primary care physician is a good starting point because you can then be referred to a specialist if needed.

Research Your Insurance Policy                                                                                     

Once you have some kind of idea about the type of physician you need, it is time to do some research about what doctors are available to you. The last thing a person needs to do is research a doctor, only to find out they do not accept your medical insurance.

When you have done some initial research with the doctors in your network, you can then cross reference your list with other databases. The publication U.S. News has a collection of doctors of all types and it provides extensive information. You can also speak to friends and family to find out who they recommend, because they can provide excellent information and feedback.

How To Check Out A Doctor's Credentials

After you have done some preliminary research and found a couple of potential names, you should check out a doctor’s credentials. You should find out where the physician did his or her residency, verify board certification and which hospital they are affiliated with. If you ever wind up needing to be hospitalized, you will want a reputable and safe facility in order to receive the best care. You can visit the government's "Hospital compare" site, which can easily be located through Google, to help you assess the quality of hospitals in your region.

Find A Doctor Who Suits Your Personality

Once you have narrowed down the list down to a few select choices, it is time to see which of these physicians is going to suit you. The doctor-patient relationship is just as important as the skills of a physician and it can have a direct bearing on the type of care a person receives. You will want to find a doctor whose personality meshes well with yours, it helps to foster trust and ensures your healthcare issues will be taken seriously and treated with sensitivity.

Using The Web As A Resource

The easiest place to begin your search is through a doctor’s personal website. You can get a general idea of what a doctor is like just by seeing their office and you may even be able to find patient Testimonies or helpful videos about the physician. It’s recommended to set up a time to speak with the doctor over the phone or arrange to have a face-to-face consultation.

Visit The Doctor’s Office

After reviewing the credentials and affiliations of any particular physician and speaking to the doctor over the phone, it is a good idea to visit their office. When you go into a doctor’s office for a visit, you should note how you are treated by the receptionist and medical assistants. If the staff treats you well, are cheerful and professional, it can be a good indication that the doctor runs a successful practice and that patients are treated with respect.

Size Up the Doctor

You may not be able to get an hour long sit down with a potential doctor, but all you really need is a few minutes in order to determine if he or she is really right for you. You should bring along a list of three to five different questions on your initial visit and as the doctor answers your questions, pay attention to how things are explained to you. Did the doctor rush through your questions? Were you dismissed abruptly and your questions not treated seriously? Did the doctor explain things in a manner that was easy for you to understand? Were you given a chance to ask follow up questions? These things will let you get a good impression of the physician and if you’re not comfortable then keep on searching until you find the right doctor for you.

READ Can You Keep Your Doctor After You Go On Medicare?

When you are in the market for a new doctor, it’s important to not let the process of finding one become overwhelming. By doing a bit of careful research, you can find a doctor to handle your medical needs and get the high quality care and attention you require.