| Maybe you've moved, or your current doctor is | | | | adults only, covering a wide range of diseases. |
| retiring. Looking for a new doctor can be time | | | | Specialists are internists with extra training in a |
| consuming. Give yourself a few weeks for the | | | | specific area. For example, a rheumatologist is |
| search, especially if you have some complicated or | | | | specially trained to treat inflammatory diseases such |
| chronic medical condition. Following a few simple steps | | | | as rheumatoid arthritis. |
| will create a smooth transition. | | | | General practitioners, family practitioners and general |
| Make a list of characteristics you want in a doctor. | | | | internists are called primary care providers because |
| Perhaps location is important, especially if you have a | | | | they treat a wide range of problems, and act as |
| medical condition that requires regular, frequent visits. | | | | gatekeeper for specialists. Some health plans force |
| Often patients relate best to someone of their own | | | | patients to seek a referral from a primary care |
| demographic or ethnic group, especially if they speak | | | | physician in order to be referred to a specialist. |
| English as a second language. If you work full time, | | | | If you have a medical condition requiring specialized |
| will you be able to attend the clinic during regular | | | | care, make sure to check whether the physician has |
| office hours, or is after-hours or walk-in access a | | | | treated cases like yours and has received formal |
| necessity? Ask how busy the doctor is, and how | | | | training in the subject. |
| long the wait time is for an appointment. Physically | | | | Sometimes, it is possible to get references from a |
| visit the office and evaluate the traffic and the | | | | friend or relative who is under the doctor's care. Ask |
| availability of parking, or the closeness to bus routes | | | | about their experiences, whether the doctor |
| if you plan to take the bus. | | | | genuinely listens to their concerns or just writes them |
| Of course, also make sure the doctor accepts your | | | | a prescription before rushing on to the next patient. |
| form of health insurance. Depending on which health | | | | Also, if you have heard that a particular clinic or |
| insurance plan you subscribe to, you may be | | | | hospital in your vicinity is good, ask the hospital's |
| restricted to seeing only certain doctors in your area. | | | | referral service about the doctors who work there. |
| If you see a doctor outside your plan, you may end | | | | Local, county or state medical societies have lists of |
| up paying extra fees. Ask whether the doctor's staff | | | | doctors and their qualifications. The AMA (American |
| will process your claims, or whether you will have to | | | | Medical Association) is a national organization which |
| do it yourself. If you use Medicare, be sure to find | | | | allows you to search listings by specialty or name. . |
| out whether the physician accepts this, as Medicare | | | | It is possible to check your new doctor's credentials |
| fees are lower than private fees and some doctors | | | | online. Administrators in Medicine, the national |
| refuse to work for less. | | | | organization of state medical board executive |
| Other aspects might be important to you as well, | | | | directors, lists state websites providing this |
| including which hospital the doctor uses and whether | | | | information, though not all states list physician |
| or not the physician works in a group or individual | | | | credentials online. Depending on the information |
| practice. If the practice has several other doctors, it | | | | available from your state board, you can read |
| may be easier to get care when your personal | | | | whether the doctor is currently licensed to practice |
| physician goes on vacation, since you will be familiar | | | | medicine and whether there is any record of |
| to the staff and your medical history will be on hand. | | | | disciplinary action. |
| Decide what kind of qualifications you seek in a | | | | Last but not least, go talk to the doctor. A personal |
| physician. General practitioners treat a wide variety of | | | | interview can reveal facts listed nowhere, and you |
| health conditions, but may be inexperienced at | | | | will find out how well you get along with the doctor |
| treating rare conditions. Family practitioners provide | | | | on a personal level. The doctor may charge for this |
| care for patients of all ages, and they provide the | | | | introductory appointment. However, it insures a |
| convenience of treating the concerns of the whole | | | | greater level of satisfaction when you turn to your |
| family in one clinic. General Internists provide care for | | | | new doctor for medical advice in the future. |