We know that having the right doctor makes receiving proper medical care more accessible.
However, you may be wondering what makes a doctor suitable and how exactly a valuable doctor-patient connection is made?
Luckily, we outline how to find the right doctor below, so keep reading to find out.
Ask Around
When you are trying to find a good doctor, it may be a good idea to ask your friends and family for input on their experiences with local providers.
When talking with your friends about their experiences, ask which doctors they liked, didn’t like, and why. With this information, you can compile a list of doctors to consider and avoid.
Determine What You Need
Knowing what you need from a doctor before scheduling an appointment with one is essential.
Contemplate why you need a new doctor, what condition you need to have treated, how often you will need an appointment and other factors that may contribute to the overall satisfaction with your choice.
Look at Reviews
After finding a few doctors, you might be interested in using and before scheduling an appointment, look at patient reviews.
Patient reviews will give you a good idea of what to expect from each doctor, such as:
- What their bedside manner is like
- How well they listen to your concerns
- How often you see them vs. a nurse
- Overall treatment success and satisfaction
When looking at reviews, consider that some individuals may leave negative comments out of frustration. Therefore, it is best to base your judgment on the general consensus instead of one or two poor ratings.
Contemplate What Makes You Comfortable
Sometimes finding the right doctor is difficult because certain conditions are embarrassing, and some doctors make you uncomfortable.
Your health is important and if you are struggling to receive proper treatment because you are not comfortable being open with your doctor, know that it is perfectly acceptable to be picky.
It is not discriminatory to select your doctor based on gender, age, physical fitness, etc.
Patients are often more comfortable seeing doctors that are similar to them because they feel less likely to be judged and more likely to develop a social connection.
Choose The Right Location
The location of your doctor may not seem too important, but it could make a significant difference in your treatment.
Whether you have serious medical conditions or not, you should consider finding a doctor close by, with multiple offices and accessible parking.
If you need to be seen quickly or only have a short window of time for a visit, having a doctor far away will make these visits challenging.
Additionally, many people rely on public transportation, walking, or cycling for travel so if you don’t personally drive, look into whether bus routes or paths are available.
Consider Specialists
After determining what you need from a doctor, consider whether or not you need a specialist.
A primary care provider can treat many symptoms and conditions. However, if you have already attempted to receive help from a primary or family doctor and have had little success, you may need to speak with a specialist.
The most common specialists are:
- Optometrists (eyes)
- Neurologists (brain and nervous system)
- Dermatologists (skin)
- Orthopedic surgeons (skeletal)
- Otolaryngologists (ear, nose, and throat)
- MMJ Physician ( Medical Marijuana)
Seeing a specialist is often the best way to get to the bottom of your symptoms quickly and find the best treatment for your individual needs. Finding a specialist can be as easy as asking your primary for a referral, and if you are seeking cannabis, you can go to marijuanadoctors.com to find a doctor in your area.
Find a Doctor That Can Accept You
Anytime you are considering a new doctor, you should ask a few things before scheduling an appointment.
Not all doctors will be a good fit for you, and not all patients are a good fit for them.
To ensure that the doctor-patient relationship works all the way around, call the office and ask the following questions:
- Do they accept your insurance?
- How much is the copay?
- Are they currently accepting new patients?
- What is their availability like, and how long will the wait be when needing an appointment?
If the doctor accepts your insurance, is within your budget, and can provide you with appointments that work with your schedule and need, then you are good to go.
Conclusion
There are many steps to take when connecting with the right doctor. When searching for providers, ask your loved ones for suggestions, look at reviews, decide what type of doctor makes you feel comfortable, and consider their availability, price, and location.
