subject: Find Doctor - Tips For Doing It Right [print this page] The first stage in a search for a physician nowadays is to simply put the words "find doctor" into one of the many popular online search engines and see what pops up. Slap your city behind that phrase and you might even be able to narrow your search considerably. But there are actually a few better ways to search for a good local physician than aimlessly paging through results on Google. If you can narrow your needs and match them with the qualities you really want in a physician, you'll be a lot further along in your quest.
One good way to conduct a "find doctor" search is through websites that rate physicians. These websites use patient ratings to give prospective patients a better idea of what the general public thinks of these physicians. The ones that are used the most and have a large population using the site actually work really well when it comes to separating the good from the bad. Of course, as with any opinion site, you have to use our own judgment when discerning which reviews to trust and which ones not to. Generally, make your focus the overall slant of the comments and ratings. If you see the same sort of issues pop up again and again, you can be sure that it isn't just one or two disgruntled patients speaking for everyone.
Once you've narrowed your search down a bit, you can begin meeting some physicians. While everyone wants the best possible care, don't overlook the importance of simply getting along with the health professional you choose. Sometimes a personality conflict can get in the way of more important issues. Don't feel bad about turning down a physician because of a language barrier, either. There are some terrific doctors who have moved here from other countries, but you won't be able to get the most out of your appointments if you can't understand what it is they are saying.
One of the roadblocks many people run into when finding a specialty physician is the long waiting list. Good physicians are often booked up for months in advance. The only way through this waiting list-if there is any way-is to get a referral from another physician. This is where it's beneficial to have a good family practice physician that you see on a regular basis. They may be able to refer you to the specialist you need, enabling you to bypass some of the waiting list.
