Find a Doctor: How to Choose A Local Doctor
No matter who you are, there will come a day when the aid of a physician will be required. Whether for general checkups, injuries, illnesses, or even for someone else, the task of finding a local doctor is one which is inevitable. And while the process of locating a physician you can be happy with can initially seem like a burden, there are a number of techniques to help you along the way. In this article, we will focus on these techniques, providing tips and ideas along the way.
Step 1 – No matter what you hear,
the number one method of finding a physician is through word of mouth. In fact, it may even prove beneficial to choose someone whom has been referred to you by a friend or family member. Starting the process, knowing a patient will provide you with insight into the practice, and an idea of what to expect from the physician. Be sure to ask specific questions from the person making the recommendation to best determine whether the physician is worth looking into further.
Step 2 – Even though it’s old fashioned at this point, pull out the old yellow pages and leaf through until you find the physician section. Additionally, you’ll want to be able to decide which type of physician you will be seeking, such as a pediatrician, cardiologist, gynecologist, chiropractor, etc.
Step 3 – Hop online and search for board-certified specialists in your area. Specify the city in which you live, state, and the words “certified doctor” into the entry line. While this search will initially provide you with a number of results, you can easily narrow it down by adding additional terms as you move along. Additionally, there are a number of quality directories available online, which provide reviews, ratings, and other pertinent information to help you make a decision.
Step 4 – Call up your local hospital and speak with them in order to obtain a list of licensed area physicians.
Step 5 – Head over to your state medical board and ask for a list of recommendations. These associations commonly provide people with a variety of resources to help in their search. They also have the ability to show you current records pertaining to complaint histories, and the specifics of the cases. You can even use this resource to check up on the recommendations you’ve gathered prior.
Step 6 – Once you have a solid list of candidates in front of you, pick out your top three choices and contact them to set up a meeting. Many of these practices will provide prospective patients with an initial consultation free of charge. Use this as an opportunity to gain a firsthand look at the practice and the physician themselves. Evaluate how you interact with each other, and make sure you feel comfortable.
Step 7 – After your meetings are through, sit down and go over all of the information you’ve obtained. Compare each candidate and choose one that best fits your ideal vision of what a physician should be to you.
