With the seemingly endless number of physicians out there today, it can seem nearly impossible to choose a new doctor. Narrowing down your choices through the use of criteria is an obvious way to pare down the group, but even that can be overwhelming. How can you decide what’s important to you? Will you know what questions to ask potential choices? Will you know what red flags to watch for?

There are some easy first steps to take as you narrow the field. First, virtually everyone wants to visit a doctor who is relatively close to home. Of course, depending on where you live, “close” can mean different things, but the underlying goal is that your primary care provider shouldn’t be too far away in case you need some help. Another one of the early criteria you may want your doctor to meet is coverage under your health insurance. If a doctor in within your plan’s network, you could stand to save money on your visits as compared to visiting another, out-of-network physician. Often, when these two criteria are combined, they can provide you with a manageable list of doctors’ offices in your area. Keep in mind, however, that sometimes suggestions from friends or family members can be of more assistance in finding the right doctor, even if it means going out of network and driving across town!

Once you have a shorter list, you can start thinking about your more specific preferences. You might not care about the gender of your doctor, but if you feel uncomfortable about being examined or being asked very personal questions by someone of the opposite gender, it’s something to consider. After all, going to the doctor can already seem like a pain in the neck, so you shouldn’t give yourself another reason to skip out on the yearly checkup. Also think about your schedule and how going to each potential physician would fit into it; some doctors keep bankers’ hours, requiring that you be free during normal business hours for an appointment. If you work a nine-to-five job, this may prove to be a huge inconvenience, especially if you foresee many upcoming visits, so look for someone with evening hours.

Once you’ve considered these aspects, it might be time to start making visits to potential health care providers’ offices. Here, you’ll be able to get answers to important questions about the doctors’ specialties, and which hospitals they can admit patients to, but you can also use your trip as a chance to see if you feel comfortable with each office. Think about how the front office treats you, the organization of the office as a whole, the doctor’s demeanor, and how relaxed you feel around both the doctor and the auxiliary staff.

While you should focus on how you feel about each doctor, there are some general tip-offs that it may be time to take your business elsewhere. One of them is if you feel rushed through the appointment. You need to have the time to discuss your wellbeing with your health care provider, and if he or she seems to be blazing through the visit, you might not be getting the attention you need. In fact, feeling rushed can dissuade many patients from bringing up concerns they have because they think they’ll be inconveniencing the physician. Even if you don’t notice the doctor itching to run out the door, you might still encounter a physician who doesn’t listen very well. He or she might be reluctant to answer questions or simply brush aside your concerns. If any of these problems arise, conclude the visit, and cross the office off your list. Lack of communication and attention could lead to serious medical complications down the road.

While selecting a physician will still be a difficult process, perhaps keeping these pieces of advice in mind will make it a less painful one.

Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to health and wellness.

Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to health and wellness. http://www.lsiphysicianrelations.com/

Author Bio: Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to health and wellness.

Category: Medical Business
Keywords: choose a doctor, doctor resources, healthcare providers, dcotors