Finding the right physician for your unique health and
medical needs is an important undertaking. Here’s where to start.
As you begin your search, start by considering a
physician’s training, experience, location, interests and style of
practice.
Define your needs. To help define the qualities
and traits you desire in a physician, you might want to consider which
of the following questions are important to you:
- How much experience do you want the physician to have? Do you have
any special condition or needs? Does the physician have experience or
training in those areas?
- Is the physician board-certified in the specialty you need? You may
check "Find Physician" on myuhc.com to find out if your physician is
board-certified in a specialty.
- Where did the physician go to medical school?
- Do you prefer a female or male physician?
- Will you want the same physician for each member of your family?
You might need a physician with a special interest or area of
expertise, or one who focuses on children or teenagers.
- Would you be more comfortable with a physician who shares your
culture and background? For example, do you need a physician who speaks
Spanish or Hmong?
- Will you need a physician who has affiliations with certain
hospitals?
- Do you prefer a physician who practices alone or in a group?
- Do you want a location that will be convenient to your home or your
work?
Get referrals. Ask your friends, family members,
and coworkers to find out what physicians they'd recommend and why.
Check your health plan directory, or call your local medical referral
service (the number should be in the front section of your telephone
phone book).
Ask questions. Some questions can be answered via
telephone by the physician's staff. Call the office of any physician who
appears to meet your needs and ask questions like:
- Is the physician taking new patients?
- How difficult will it be to be seen when I am sick?
- How far in advance will I need to schedule a routine checkup?
- Are there extended hours or 24-hour on-call coverage?
- Is phone advice available? If so, who provides it?
- Does the physician have a web site? Will he or she be willing to
answer my questions via email?
- What is the emergency procedure?
- What happens after-hours, or when the physician is unavailable?
- Does your physician teach, or is s/he involved in medical research?
Interview the physician. During your first visit
to your prospective physician, "get acquainted" with him or her. Ask
questions about the physician's philosophy of care and general approach.
Be assertive enough to tell that physician exactly what you want. Ask
for a partnership arrangement. Stress the importance to you of being
informed about your choices and being able to understand clearly the
diagnosis and treatment.
Know the traits of top-notch docs. Some pointers
...
- Although there is a slowly growing trend toward strictly
office-based medical practices, one may often find the best physicians
affiliated with the best hospitals, so ask where the physician has
medical/surgical privileges.
- Ask if your physician is board-certified in his or her specialty or
on track for board certification. (You can verify a physician's
certification by visiting the American Board of Medical Specialties Web
site at www.abms.org
.)
- Ask if he or she is on faculty at a university medical center.
- Find out if your physician is a chairperson of medical society
committees, specialty society committees or hospital committees.
Your prospective physician should always:
- Be willing to listen to you
- Take your questions seriously and answer them thoroughly
- Explain the problem and it's solution
- Respect you and your needs
- Respect your desire for other opinions
- Be available by phone or email to answer questions.
Ultimately, it all comes down to personal rapport. You owe it to yourself and to your family to find a physician with whom
you can build a trusting, mutually respectful relationship.
Good luck! Be healthy!
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