I worked in a Physician’s office most of my career, and not unlike any other people personalities come into play when picking the Doctor for you and your family. Often people are not sure what type of Doctor to even pick, the list is vast and at times you do not understand what the specialty means.
**Know what you want.**
When looking for a Doctor know what you want. Meaning do you want a specialist, or do you want a general practitioner? Do you need a family doctor or an internist? Types of doctors or care givers D.O. is a Doctor of Osteopathy, M.D. Medical Doctor, or N.P. Nurse Practioner. All work with in the realms of medicine, but with different degrees.
**Personality**
It is very important to pick a doctor that you are not going to be upset with. A doctor that has a quick in quick out policy may not be for you. A doctor that you have to sit and wait for may not be for you. It all depends on the amount of time you want to spend talking with your physician so you understand exactly what is going on and reasoning you are being treated, why he picked what medications or none at all for you.
Personally I would rather have a doctor that will take time with me and explain what he is doing and will speak to me in laymen’s terms rather than a bunch of medical jargon that only a medical professional would understand.
**First Visit**
I suggest on your first visit to make this your consultation visit. You want to find out if you and your doctor are suited for each other. If I walk into the room and he comes in and shuts the door then sits down I know this is probably the physician I would like. A doctor that stands the entire time close to the door or with his hand on the door is not the one for me. This shows me he is in a hurry and doesn’t have time for me, or he just doesn’t care what I have to say. I even wonder if he is fully listening to me or in worry on how to get out of that room as fast as he can.
I want a doctor that is compassionate to my needs, others may want a doctor that is straight forward, abrupt, tells you what he will do and gone before you had time to open your mouth.
**After hours care**
Find out if your doctor has after hours care. That means can you call and there be a doctor on duty to answer questions or give advice during and urgent problem that cannot wait. Or does this office forward you directly to the emergency room to allow them to tell you what to do. I suggest the first if you are looking for a more personalized care.
** Check with the Medical Society**
In the times we live in please check with your local medical society to see if your doctor is listed in good standing. They are also able to tell you if your doctor has had any legal suits against him/her, and if so how many. This should play an important factor in choosing the correct doctor for you.
**Medical Insurance**
Make sure that your physician accepts and is listed on your medical insurance. If so and you decide to go with this physician realize that from that point on he is considered your PCP(primary care physician) and you must get the ok from them before seeing a specialist of any sort. Understand your co-pay amount if any, and if on Medicare find out if they take assignment or will they require you to pay the amount Medicare does not pay.