Have you ever found a doctor’s visit to be uninformative or even frustrating? Have you ever thought a medical practitioner to be somewhat crass and dismissive?
It’s not all that uncommon for patients to feel that their doctor is not as assistive and helpful as they should be. But beyond this, considering your doctor to be rude is possibly even more frustrating.
Because medical care costs are undeniably high, and there’s nothing more important than your health and well-being, choosing the right doctor is essential.
So, in this article, we’ve listed some of the most practical tips for you to find the best doctor.
Interview The Doctor
Before booking an appointment for your health concerns, it’s wise to contact the doctor and let them know you would like a consultation to make sure you’re choosing the right doctor. If the doctor isn’t fond of the idea, it’s probably in your best interests to find another doctor.
With this, when you find a selection of doctors that are willing to conduct a quick interview with you, you’ll be able to ask them as many questions as you need, and while doing so, you can assess their personality.
That said, health insurance providers are often not prepared to pay out for interview consultations. Even so, paying cash for one consultation could benefit your health dramatically in the long run.
Read Online Reviews
One of the best and most practical ways to determine the level of quality services a doctor provides is to read through online reviews from their patients. You’ll find that some doctors, such as Dr. John Staniland, have better patient reviews than others. Patient reviews will give you a direct indication of the patient’s view of the doctor.
If you find that a doctor has a large number of complaints or negative reviews, it’s best to scratch them off your list of potential healthcare providers.
Compare Fees
Whether you have health insurance or not, it’s still wise to compare fee structures. Some healthcare providers that seem too affordable might not be as experienced. On the other hand, some doctor’s fees are unrealistically high, and you won’t want to deplete your health insurance benefits.
Choose a healthcare provider with fee structures that align with average costs.
Avoid Hasty Consultations
One of the worst experiences a patient can have is feeling as though the doctor is rushing the consultation and not listening to their concerns or questions.
If you feel a doctor is hasty during any consultation, it’s best to find another doctor that is willing to give you their time and attention; you are paying for their service, after all.
Don’t be scared to ask questions during the appointment, and be sure your doctor is interested in breaking information up so that you can understand every detail.
Practice Location
It’s also quite essential to find a doctor that’s located within a reasonable distance. Otherwise, traveling to and from the doctor’s practice will inevitably become a hassle for you.
Instead of searching for doctors located anywhere, narrow your search only to find doctors that are located within a particular radius.
Specialization
If you need a doctor for generalized health concerns, a general practitioner is suitable. However, if you have concerns regarding neuro health, you’ll need to find a neurologist, while if you are experiencing testicular health concerns, you’ll need to search for a urologist, and so on.
There are several areas of specialization when it comes to your health. So, be sure to search for the most relevant kind of doctor.
With regard to this, if you need a specialized doctor, it’s common practice for a general practitioner to refer you to a list of relevant doctors. But even so, you can take your referral letter to any specialized practitioner.
Waiting Time
It can be exceptionally frustrating to have a scheduled consultation time only to find yourself waiting for your turn to see the doctor for hours.
The right doctor won’t leave you waiting for hours while attending to other patients. Be sure to opt for a doctor that is considerate of your time. And when it comes to determining your estimated wait time, you’ll need to evaluate this factor during your interview consultation.
Finding the right doctor can be challenging, although the tips listed above will guide you in the right direction. That said, keep in mind that you can switch doctors at any time. So, if you are not entirely happy with the level of healthcare your current doctor is providing, start searching for a new doctor that is better able to meet your needs.
