It can be a difficult process to find a doctor that is a good fit for you. Whether you are looking for a new primary care doctor or a specialist in a certain field, One of the most difficult parts can be knowing where to start your search. With so many doctors’ offices out there, we created this list to help you find the perfect doctor for you.
Table of Contents
Figure out Your Needs
Starting your search for a doctor can be intimidating. Start by first listing out what you are looking to get from a provider. If you are looking for a new primary care physician, it’s important to put more of an emphasis on how convenient the office is to you. You are likely to keep going to this office over the years and a far away commute can deter you from important wellness checkups. If you are only seeing them for a temporary condition you can focus less on the location and more on if they will be able to help you.
Online Search
One place you can start your online search is your insurance company’s website if you have insurance. You can view this by searching what type of provider and your location in the doctor’s search tool on your insurance website. If you don’t have or aren’t looking to be covered by insurance, you can start with an online search. For example, you can search ‘doctor in Denver, CO‘ to get a list of doctors in your area that provide your service. From that initial search, you will have access to plenty of information about each of the providers including all of the services they provide, and access to reviews. Make sure to do a deep dive into their online information before taking the next step in the search process. This can save you time from going in when they’ve had negative reviews or weren’t providing the service you need.
Set-Up Initial Visits
After you have narrowed down your search online to a few doctors, set up an initial consultation with them. It can help to set up multiple of these with different doctors so you don’t settle for one that you only had an ‘okay’ first visit with. This will give you time to interview the doctor with any questions you have as well as meet the rest of the staff in the office as well. When setting up
these visits you can compare how long it takes to set up an appointment with each of these providers as well.
Interview the Doctor
When you show up to your initial appointments with the doctors you have narrowed it down to, it’s important to come prepared. Bring with you a list of questions and any concerns you have so you don’t leave the office and forget to ask them something. You are not there only to interview the doctor, but the rest of the staff as well. Make sure that all of the nurses and medical assistants are attentive and helpful. You often spend more of your time around them instead of the doctor so it’s important that you enjoy being around them. Also, take note of how friendly and responsive the front desk staff is. A poor front desk receptionist can make it difficult for you to schedule appointments in the future. After you attend all of your initial appointments with different doctors, you can compare the notes you have taken at each visit.
Once you find a doctor that fits all of your needs and the first initial appointment went well, you have finally completed your search. If none of the initial appointments came out with a good choice, don’t get discouraged as there are still providers out there looking to help you. Finding the right primary care or specialist can be a difficult process, but worth it’s an important investment in your health.
