If you’re in the market for a new physician, there are many aspects to consider. With so many options and factors worth looking into, the task itself can at first seem a bit overwhelming.
Thankfully,
in recent years a number of resources have become available to help in determining qualified medical candidates to entrust with your care. By simply taking the time to research and check up on doctor’s reviews in addition to other available resources, you easily save yourself a fair amount of time, energy and money into someone who really doesn’t suit your needs. In this article, we will provide a few tips to help you through the process.
Step 1 – Start out by speaking with friends and family members in order to obtain recommendations. Ideally, you’ll want to find someone who has dealt with a physician who specializes in the type of treatment you require. Talk with them, inquiring about various details such as comfort level, the overall interaction, location, pricing, etc. This is a great way to gain perspective on a physician prior to meeting them.
Step 2 – Head on down to your state bar and ask for a list of area specialists. These organizations often provide individuals with a variety of information to help throughout their search, including reviews, complaint histories, location details, and more.
Step 3 – To get an even better look, hop online and partake in a search of area doctors. The internet is a wonderful tool to check out physicians, providing reviews, practice websites, financing options, etc. You can even look up physicians who have been recommended to you in order to obtain a better feel for the practice and what they do.
Step 4 – If you are seeking a specific type of specialist, you may want to speak with your primary care physician for a recommendation. Many care providers will often have a vast knowledge when it comes to other practitioners in the field, and can help point you in the direction of someone they trust.
Step 5 – With all the information you’ve gathered, choose your top three candidates and schedule interviews with each of them. These interviews will allow you the opportunity to formulate your own opinion on the matter, with which you can compare alongside the reviews and recommendations you’ve come across up until that point. Be sure to take notes throughout each meeting to reference later. Additionally, you’ll want to bring along a list of questions for each doctor to address that pertain specifically to your unique situation. Pay attention to all the information provided, adding important aspects to your notes.
Step 6 – Once you’ve met with each candidate, sit down to go through your notes. Compare each option, taking into account factors such as cost, location, education, certifications, and any other aspects that are important to you. By this point, you will most likely have a candidate who stands apart from the rest. Make your decision based on your gut feeling, and call them up to set up an appointment.
