Getting ill nowadays due to stress, pollution, virus, and seasonal infections which come our way are most common. However during that time, it’s a good practice to have a physician in one's address book for an appointment is the best thing, one can do. Its not always easy to find the best physician of your interest, so this article will help you navigate to know about certain things that one should know to get a better physician.

Before you begin the process of searching for the best physician, it’s essential to evaluate what type of physician you are looking for and the extent of their expertise.

To start the evaluation process, assess the below factors.

Condition and expertise. With more than 7,000 health conditions plaguing patients today, one physician can’t be an expert in each one. If you already received a diagnosis, ensure the physician has experience and success in treating patients with your condition.

Type of doctor. Determining the right kind of doctor can be a slippery slope. Let’s say one of your symptoms is chronic headaches. Do you visit a primary care physician, neurosurgeon, cardiologist, oncologist, allergist, or ENT? You would need to know what is causing the symptom to choose the right physician. But, if you knew the cause of your symptoms, you wouldn’t need a doctor!

Personal referrals from a trusted friend or family member can be helpful, provided the doctor meets your expectations for care. Have a detailed discussion with the person referring the doctor and ask about their experience, whether positive or negative. Here are some questions:

What stood out to you that made you refer this doctor?

Was there anything you would suggest for improvement?

Would you revisit this doctor? Why or why not? Online physician reviews can be misleading. With so many physician review sites accessible, the typical doctor search often includes a few Google searches and about 15-20 minutes of reading through online reviews. If a physician gets multiple five-star reviews, they must be top-notch, right? Not necessarily.

You don’t have to settle on the first five-star doctor you find from a Google search. While online reviews (if they are legitimate) can be helpful when assessing a physician’s bedside manner and staff friendliness, they do not evaluate the physician’s past and current training and experience, important factors when finding a good doctor.

Your healthcare journey may involve an insurance search for in-network doctors. Though this step is important, we didn’t make it the first one because we don’t want finances to prevent you from getting the care you need and deserve.

While many people do not have the finances to visit a physician outside of their insurance network, that doesn’t mean an out-of-network doctor won’t work with patients. Doctors who genuinely care about their patients’ health will often discount their services.

If you find an in-network doctor who satisfies your criteria, that is the ideal scenario. But, if you can’t, consider other doctors as they may still be an option for you.

The evaluation process doesn’t end once you visit your doctor. During your visit, take notice of staff friendliness, the duration of the doctor's visit (did you feel rushed?), and other factors that are important to you.

Come prepared. If you have questions about a specific condition, read up on the latest research and treatments before your visit. Ask the doctor specific questions regarding your research and look for detailed, thoughtful answers regarding the different approaches.

We recommend getting a second opinion, especially if you are dealing with a rare condition. Doctors’ protocols may reflect their treatment philosophy, which means you may receive different treatment options from each doctor even though your diagnosis is the same.

Discover the perfect healthcare match for your needs! Uncover the secrets to finding the best physician for your concerns. Take charge of your well-being today – Contact us now!