Healthy Outlook Blog

Finding the Right Doc

By Britta Barrett | Posted March 19 2010

Patient-Doctor Relationship

Your relationship with your primary care physician is critical to maintaining good health. If you’re looking for a new doctor, or just want to reevaluate your relationship with your current one, House Call Doctor offers some ideas on what to look for:

1. Accessibility – We all have hectic days, but a constant busy signal might not be a good sign.

2. Record Keeping – Does your doctor take careful notes?

3. Customer Service – You’ll likely spend as much time talking to the staff as the doctor, so make sure you feel like it’s a good fit.

4. Patient-First Care – Do you feel like your doctor is giving you personal attention or running through a list of tests?

5. No Over-Prescribing of Drugs – It’s your doctor’s responsibility to prescribe only what is necessary.

They also point out some ideas on how to get started:

- Ask around
- Check out their website
- Call or visit the office
- Ask another doctor about them
- Be willing to walk away

Some of these might seem obvious, but putting the thought and time into your decision can go a long way towards helping you pick the right doctor for you.

And when you’re ready to go to your doctor, the Better Health Conversation can help you prepare. You’ll get a personalized list of questions and suggestions to help you get more out of your visit.

Desmond Ebanks, MD

It is essential that you start to think outside the provebial box; finding a physician that delivers healthcare in an innovative way. Most chronic diseases likely to impact the quality of your life are largely preventable. Looking for signs or markers of disease before they become expensive diagnoses will serve you better in the long run. Even if your insurer doesn’t cover everything, what’s your health worth?

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