How to Find a Physician - Tips and Tricks

Step 1 – Obtain referrals. A quality referral is one of the best resources available for choosing a physician. Speaking with current and past patients can ultimately provide you with a wealth of information you would never find in a phone book or advertisement. 

Step 2 – Locations. Deciding to use a doctor who practices in a location that is close to you is always a good choice. Even if a doctor is wonderful in every way, if they are located too far away from you, it is not a good choice. Consider having to drive a long distance with a sick child, or injury to yourself. How far are you willing to go? If at all possible, try choosing a physician who is close to your home.

Step 3 – Find out about health insurance specifics. If you find that an office does not accept your coverage, you should expect the costs to be rather expensive. This may end up inhibiting you from visiting the doctor when you really need it. Such is why it’s so important to find someone who works with your insurance plan. 

Step 4 – Find out specifics regarding the availability of the doctor. Many offices are not open seven days a week, or have odd hours on certain days. Some offices who are close to retirement may decide to cut back their hours. Know the availability and options should you be caught in an emergency situation. 

Step 5 - If you have a family, be sure the doctor is able to handle the needs of each family member. In order to stick with one physician who will deal with all of the members, they must be able to address the concerns and needs of each person. 

Step 6 – Is emergency service available? Due to the fact that illness and injury sometimes fall during times when it is rather inconvenient, it is important to know what your options are if something should occur during off hours. Find someone who has a plan of action for these situations so that you and your family are able to obtain care during times when the office is closed. 

Step 7 – Trust your gut. In some instances, a physician who looks wonderful on paper can really give off a sour vibe when met in person. Be sure to spend the time to get to know the doctor and allow your intuition to play a role in the decision-making process. If you feel that your doctor is a poor match, then they probably are. Look elsewhere until you find that special someone.