How to Find the Right Doctor

Assess Your Doctor / Practitioner Needs

If you are in need of a new primary care doctor, it's important to find one you can trust, and with whom you can communicate well and establish a long-time relationship.

Find a Respectful Communicator

Regardless of the type of doctor you need, you'll want to be sure you can communicate effectively, in an atmosphere of mutual respect. Major complaints voiced by patients include frustration with not understanding their doctors' use of medical terminology, or that they don't feel as if their providers listen to them, or give them enough time.

Sometimes those problems are due to a disregard for the needs of the patient. Other times there are good explanations. Respectful communications require understanding on the parts of both doctors and patients to get beyond those hurdles.

Find a Practitioner Who Works with Your Insurance

While this step should seem fairly straightforward, it gets more difficult as time goes on. The nature of health insurance providers is that their relationships with practitioners change over time.

Credentials are Important

Where did your doctor go to medical school? Did he specialize in the medical service you need? Where did he complete his fellowship program? Is she board certified? Has she completed continuing education coursework? Is he licensed in your state? Does he stay current with publications and research in his field of specialty? Is she affiliated with any organizations that speak to her area of medicine?

Here are some resources for getting this information:

•  You can get basic credential information from your state's licensing board .

•  Additional information about your doctor may be found at one of the doctor credential sites .

•  If board certification is not listed on those sites, you'll need to check separately to make sure your doctor is board certified in the type of specialty you seek. (Note: some doctors are board certified in one area, but practice in another. You'll want to confirm certification is in the right area for you.)

 The Doctor's Track Record is Important

The amount and level of experience your doctor has can be vitally important, especially if you have a difficult to diagnose medical problem, or one that requires a difficult treatment. You'll also want to know that the doctor has a successful and clean record.

This information is found in a variety of locations, some more consistent and useful than others.

Hospital Affiliation May Be a Consideration

If you think you may need to be hospitalized at some point now, or in the future, and you have a strong preference for one hospital (or a disdain for a certain a hospital), you'll want to keep those choices in mind when you search for a doctor. Doctors will affiliate with one or more hospitals in their area of service. You'll want to find out which doctors are affiliated with your choice of hospitals.

To watch tips on finding the right doctor, click here.