Finding the right doctor is important to maintaining good health.
Finding a general practitioner can seem like a daunting challenge, especially since there are so many doctors in most major cities that are all seemingly qualified and competent. However, finding a general practitioner does not have to be an overwhelming task if you know where to look and what to look for. The most important thing to remember is that you need to trust your general practitioner, and if you don't, you need to look for a different doctor.
Instructions
1. Ask friends or colleagues whom you trust for a referral to a general practitioner they have been visiting. Ask them about their experiences with the doctor, and if they have ever had negative interaction with him or her. While you will still need to set up a consultation with the doctor, a referral from someone you trust can be a great place to start.
2. Contact a medical professional you know but who is not a general practitioner. Most doctors, whether they are orthopedic surgeons, ophthalmologists or dermatologists, know a general practitioner they trust and will refer their clients to. Asking a doctor you know well for a referral to their general practitioner also is a good idea, as doctors tend to scrutinize other doctors pretty closely before visiting them. Again, you will need to set up a consultation of your own to make sure the doctor is right for you.
3. Check websites like Health Grades and Physician Reports to see what others are saying about doctors you are interested in visiting or having a consultation with. While one or two negative comments for a very busy general practitioner are to be expected, a doctor with an overwhelming amount of negative feedback from patients is probably one you want to stay away from.
4. Review the list of doctors in your health plan if you are limited to using doctors who are covered by your insurance carrier. Check their location, hospital affiliations and, of course, check with your local state medical board to make sure their license is valid in the state you are living in.
5. Look for a general practitioner through a website like DocBoard if you cannot find a general practitioner through a friend, colleague and other doctor or health plan. While you may need to do a bit more research into the doctor's background, and a consultation will be especially important, it is possible to find a competent, qualified doctor over the Internet.
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