Moving is stressful and difficult, and it’s easy to let certain things slip in all the chaos. Finding a new doctor is usually pretty low on the priority list, but when you do need medical help, you often can’t take time to make a long, informed decision. It’s important to start the process of finding the right medical professionals sooner rather than later.
Get recommendations from people you trust
It may take a while for your new social network to build up to the point that you know exactly who to trust. On top of that, the patient-doctor relationship is unique to each person, so what works for one person might not work so well for you.
Still, your first step should be to talk with co-workers, other parents at your child’s school, people at your church or synagogue, or your new neighbors. Before you move, ask your current doctors if they have some recommendations.
Think about who will know a doctor best. If you’re hunting for podiatrists in Ohio, ask around till you find someone who has had foot or ankle problems resolved recently. And remember: they might be able to tell you who to avoid as easily as who to choose!
Don’t forget the nurses
No one knows doctors better than nurses. Nurses as clinics and hospitals work with doctors day in and day out and under every possible working condition. Nurses are best positioned to understand a doctor’s temperament and personality.
Nurses have seen doctors on their best days and on their worst. They’ve seen doctors work with patients of every personality type, too, and under all kinds of stress. If you’re having trouble finding the right doctor, ask a nurse.
A personal visit to the local hospital or clinic could be the best move you make in your hunt for the right medical help. Just remember to go at off-times; and if things look busy, come back another day.
Use the power of the internet
The first thing you should use your computer to do is to find out which doctors are within your medical insurance network. This will narrow the field down significantly and make the choice that much easier.
Your next search should be for medical professionals who are certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties. While all practicing doctors should be certified by the American Medical Association, the ABMS requires a whole other level of competency and experience to earn certification.
Finally, you should plug in what you’re looking for–like “New Jersey pulmonary doctors” or
“family doctor beaumont tx” –into your search engine and look for reviews. Just remember to take online reviews with a grain of salt.
Set up some interactions
Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, start by visiting the doctor’s own website or the page hosted by a doctor’s clinic. You can get a lot of clues this way, from seeing awards and qualifications to evaluating just how helpful and informative the site is.
Don’t be afraid to start by asking for a phone consultation. This gives you a chance to ask a few questions and evaluate the doctor’s response. Just remember not to abuse this time, as doctors are very busy people.
Finally, go for a personal office visit. One visit does not obligate you to commit to a physician forever, so go with your eyes open. Evaluate the office and the visit, and trust your instincts.
Your doctor-patient relationships are some of the most critical you’ll ever have, so it’s worth taking the time to find just the right medical professionals to work with.
