Finding the right doctor is extremely important for both your health and for your peace of mind. As women, we have dozens of responsibilities and duties, all of which require us to be functioning at our full capacity.
Without the right doctor, our health may be neglected and every aspect of our lives can suffer due to a health crisis. To protect our health, our families, our careers, and our personal lives, having a trustworthy healthcare provider that we are comfortable with is the key to our success.
Before You Start
When it is time for you to search for a new doctor, begin by asking yourself a few questions. Decide what qualities you most want in your care provider and their services. Would you rather have a doctor that is affiliated with a particular hospital? Would a doctor that can see your whole family be more convenient? Would you prefer a doctor that is within a network, so that you can always be seen quickly by an associate if your personal doctor is not available? Whatever your own personal preferences are when it comes to the care that your receive, make a list of the qualifications you are looking for.
Next, begin making a list of doctors to investigate. Talk to friends and family about their experiences with their own personal doctors and get the inside scoop. Call a local referral service to find out what doctors are rated highly in your area. Also, use the Internet as a tool to find local doctors that might suit your list of personal needs in a care provider.
Investigate Your Options
There are various different resources that you can use to find out about the quality of care given by a particular doctor. Check with local medical licensing boards to find out about any complaints or infractions that have been charged against a doctor. Look up their credentials - you may even be able to find out where they were educated from organisations like the American Medical Association (in the US) or similar professional organisations. There are even web pages that provide current information about certification and specialities on the Internet. Once you have found out as much as you can about your list of potential candidates for a doctor, whittle the list down to those who have the best credentials.
Call the Surgery
Call the offices of your top five choices and find out more information about their policies and their practice. The receptionist should be able to give you this information, but remember that doctor’s offices are busy and the office patients take priority, so you may be asked to hold or to call back at a more convenient time. Here are some of the questions that you may want to ask:
- What are the opening hours? Is there an after-hours answering service?
- What is the usual wait time for an appointment? What about emergency situations?
- Do you accept my insurance policy (if applicable)? What are the policies regarding insurance and payment?
- Who covers the practice when the doctor is unavailable?
- What hospitals and laboratories is the doctor affiliated with?
- Are referrals to specialists a common occurrence or does the doctor handle most care himself?
- Is the doctor proactive in preventative treatment and testing or does he generally only treat problematic situation?
You may have other questions and concerns regarding your own personal health, so do not be afraid to ask. If you can across an office that seems reluctant to give out any information about their policies and procedure without a scheduled visit, you may want to keep looking. Use the answers to the questions to select a couple of favourites and move on.
Set Up A Consultation
Once you have your list narrowed down to just two or three doctors, set up a consultation with each of them. This will give you a chance to see their practice in action before making your final decision. When you go, arrive a little early and observe how the incoming and outgoing patients are handled. Take note of how quickly you are seen after your arrival and also the demeanour of the staff that the doctor employs.
Once you sit down with the doctor, talk with them about your personal health concerns and find out if they are comfortable with treating any illnesses or conditions you or your family may have. Ask them about their specialities and any problems that they will not handle. Take with you a list of questions that you would like answers to and also your and your family’s medical history to discuss with him or her. Pay attention to your own comfort level as you are speaking with them and watch their reactions to your questions. Once you have had time to sit down with your top choices, your decision should be crystal clear.
Recommended Reading
For more information and advice on choosing a doctor, take a look at the book, ’How To Choose A Good Doctor
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