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Find a doctor: Tips to choose the best

Date Published: May 20 2009

Choosing a primary care physician, family doctor or other health care provider is one of the most important decisions you can make. Start your search by consulting Angie's List to find a doctor who is highly rated by others in your area. In addition to reviews, keep these tips in mind:

Take stock of your needs — Not everyone is looking for the same thing in a doctor. Carefully consider such things as bedside manner, proximity to your home, experience, accreditations, and your family and their particular conditions.

Make a list of possibilities — Check your health plan's list of covered medical professionals first. Then check reviews and ratings on Angie's List, along with recommendations from friends, family, neighbors, co-workers and other health care professionals you trust.

Contact the office — Your questions should be tailored to your needs. If you're looking for a doctor, here are some basics to find out from office staff: Which hospitals does the doctor use? Who covers for your doctor when he or she is not available? How long does it take to get a routine appointment? What is the average time patients are in the waiting room before being seen? What do you do if you have an urgent need for care? For common medical problems, does the doctor, nurse or physician assistant give advice over the phone or by e-mail?

Check the record — The American Medical Association's DoctorFinder can help in checking a physician's credentials, while state medical boards will have information on doctors and other professionals who require licensing and may even have data on disciplinary action. Check www.fsmb.org for a state-by-state listing. For many specialties, you can go to abms.org and click on "Is Your Doctor Certified?" Certification is a good indicator of experience, though not the only yardstick of quality.

Meet in person — Make an appointment for an initial consultation and see what kind of "fit" they are. A health care professional should be willing to answer all your questions. If you have particular medical conditions, find out how experienced they are in treating those conditions. If you use or participate in any alternative medicines or treatments, see if they're comfortable with them.

Follow your gut — Ask yourself if the doctor listened carefully, answered in terms you understood, showed respect, made you feel comfortable, addressed the specific health problems you came in with and asked your preferences about different kinds of treatment. Is this someone you're willing to entrust your health with for the long term?

Source: Angie's List research; U.S. Agency for Health Care Quality

Comments

Submitted by Bob on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
looking for a good Diabetes Dr. in Kingston NY area

Submitted by nikki on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
i need a good dr in san luis obispo county ca that will help treat my fibromyalgia and the chronic depression and pain that accompanies it.

Submitted by mary on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
i live in jacksonville nc...i need an internal medicin doctor

Submitted by treejohn572 on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
Thanks for the great tips on how to pick the perfect doctor. I don't have to much trouble picking doctors. I have a really good one he is an ophthalmologist. He does good work.

Submitted by Victor on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
Need a good Primary care Doctor in Raleigh NC.

Submitted by frannie koalowski on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
my husband and i need a internal medicine dr in myrtle beach,sc,new to the area

Submitted by Carol on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
I just had a mammogram for painful lump in breast. It was negative for cancer. I'm not sure I should accept that. Nothing was done to address the painful lump. Also have constant noise in my head that affects my hearing, and popping sensation at brain stem when turning my head. I'm in the southeastern part of New Mexico, close to Roswell, Carlsbad and Lubbock, Tx. Please direct me to physicians who can address my problems.

Submitted by pat brown on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
need great othopedic knee surgeion in sunset beach nc can anyone help thanks

Submitted by Pat LaBrecque on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
Looking for a dentist South of Boston, MA

Submitted by Amanda on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
I am looking for a pediatric Neurosurgeon that can do surgery on my sons head he is 3 years old and still has a soft spot he originally had a good doctor in texas but we moved to oklahoma and now i don't know where to start if anyone knows of any great neurosurgeon that can help me please comment back thank u .

Submitted by bobbie on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
i can tell you that when i had open heart surgery on sept 22nd i had an experience that changed me the next day on sept 23rd early in the morning, a Nurses Assisant came into my room, i was on a breathing machine since my surgery, i wasnt suppose to be, but i was. she comes in and stays far to the left of me then turns off the machine and says "breathe breathe!" and i kicked cried and my hands were up in the air while i kicked till my bad leg ached for 3 days afterwards. she finally turns it back on and walks out shaking her head. She's lucky she stayed far enough to the left where i could barely see her on the side of my sights. I couldnt turn my head left with the way the tube was and i had an IV in my neck. If you have a loved one in the hospital and they cant breathe on their own, please give them something to write on so they can communicate, and try to stay with them using shifts if you have to. Now i've been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Submitted by candylaw on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
I'm looking for a good pain doctor in Lafayette, IN. One that doesn't go shot happy

Submitted by Al on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
I have been diagnosed with cervical stenosis that I have suffered with for more ten years. I am looking for a neurosurgeon in the Chester County Pa area.

Submitted by Urgent Care Sil... on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
Hey your tips is really great and it works. thank you.i liked it.

Submitted by Mary on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
I'm looking for a female doctor of internal medicine in Flint, MI as my primary doctor.

Submitted by CMyers on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
being board certified means the doctor has obtained a specialty credential which requires his primary loyalty is to the payers or health plans and NOT the patients. Angies List is wrong and they have been notified. Checking your doctors competency at the FSMB.org or the state medical board will also tell you which doctors have been disciplined by the licensing agency. But what angies list does not tell you is these govt regulators discipline those doctors without allowing the doctors the right to defend themselves in a fair hearing. Those doctors who advocate the needs of patients against the intimidation of hospital managers and nurses are likely to be disciplined. Those who advocate the patients needs and ignore the restrictions of the healthplans and insurers will also be disciplined. So Angieslist is frankly misinformed and simply pushing government and insurer colluded team propaganda

Submitted by kathleen Harrod on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
looking for a good dr for chronic back pain and chronic pain syndrome

Submitted by teresa on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
I am also, I have CRPS in my arm. Its really hard to find a doctor that doesn't think all you want is the pain meds

Submitted by Vee on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
I'm looking for an excellent cardiologist in the NY and/or westchester area

Submitted by susann roach on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
looking for dr. for peripheral neuropathy in arm and hand

Submitted by Florence on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
Looking for excellent cardiologist near Delray Beach, FL since we are snowbirds for the winter.

Submitted by trish akers on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
I am looking for a true surgeon with the best credentials for spine and neck surgery, I also have scoliosis of the lower spine and it is twisting, i live in arkansas need to travel to dallas of where ever, so I am not butchered

Submitted by Angie's List staff on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
Thank you for your comments! Being a member of Angie's List gives you reviews posted by patients about their experience with doctors and other health care providers. This can give you valuable insight into the skill and experience level of a physician. Angie's List has chapters nationwide, so you can find a health care provider near you. Visit AngiesList.com to learn more.

Submitted by Nancy Alliston on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
Looking for a great gastro doctor in the Memphis/Oakland, Tenn., area

Submitted by Teresa on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
Need good internist and pain management dr. in Midwest specifically Northeast MO. Also excellent knee revision surgeon, and neck surgeon

Submitted by Joyce A. Anglin on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
My husband and I have numerous health problems, but don't know what doctor or doctors to use. We need your help. I think we need a Endocrinologist.

Submitted by Karen on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
My dad has only one eye and needs catarac surgey on that eye. Where is the best facility/doctor near Inverness Florida?

Submitted by lydia on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
need a good doctor for lapband surgery

Submitted by Lilly on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
I wear eyeglasses since I was a child. I went to get my new prescription in July of 2009 and in September I couldn't see well with them any longer. The opthamalogist I went to see told me to get use to it at my age (45) I will no longer see 20/20. I refuse to accept that and need a good doctor for a second opinion. I live in Flushing Queens. Please help me find a good opthamologist that can give me an honest answer. Thank you.

Submitted by arlene damico on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
i need an endocrinologist..i am new to this area ..hawley pa

Submitted by Sandra on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
I am looking for an Interventional Radiologist to diagnose chronic leg pain I live in Rockland County, NY area. I can travel into Westchester Co. or New York City to see someone who is highly recommended

Submitted by Lisa on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
this is what I have learned about knowing when you have the right doctor. 1.how nice is the receptionist (since they are normally who you will speak to) now if I call a doctor and the receptionist is nasty I hang up and and don't bother. Nothing is more frustrating than that. 2. Does the Doctor listen and help. I don't expect the doctor to agree with me, and I know not all appointments will include medication or antibiotics. but if you have an ongoing problem and the doc just tells you to keep taking meds that aren't helping, or says there is nothing they can do "Run" 3. if you want to try a new doctor in the same practice, do not say anything negative about them ever. EVEN if the receptionist or other staff member asks, It is a trick question, If you state at any time that the previous physician did not do such and such or you feel frustration you will get banned from the practice (just happened to me today) Lastly, check the credentials of the doctor in angies list,and maybe even go as far as to check the BBB. that way you avoid costly mistakes (like me) and do not wait a year or more to change doctors (like me)do so immediatly. and I have had this problem with a great deal of other things, picking the wrong whom ever, so out of frustration, I decided to join Angies list, and check the credentials of every single service person, new restaurant etc before I even bother and waste my time and money. yes, the subscription costs money and no I'm not rich, but if you consider the time and heartache it takes to call around and find someone to replace your doctor, dentist etc etc the subscription fee is worth it. Life should not be so hard,I shouldn't have to spend hours on the phone finding the right person, or having to go to get a service done over and over. So now I am going to check every company before I even bother with them. And if they give me poor service I will find a new provider, I will not wait around hoping for things to change (or get dismissed because I complain after 2 years of being a patient) oh and one last thing if your doctor,dentist etc etc starts pushing expensive vitamins ,juices etc on you (like the pediatrician that just banned us did) "run" because when you start to refuse these expensive offers (that I believe are unethical) the relationship between you and the person in question giving you care will wane. In my ppinion Kaiser is the Best, I have it, I wish I could afford to get my kids on it, and as soon as I can they will be. Kaiser has been as good as gold to me,but they are very very pricey but totally worth it. Best care I ever received was through an HMO.

Submitted by mary Ferland on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
recommendation for doctor in green valley, az

Submitted by Dorothy Daly on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
Looking for a recommendation for and internist and an endocrinologist in the Littleton, CO area.

Submitted by Kerry on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
Looking for new Dr. in/around LaGrange area, preferably Female/Internal Med

Submitted by Grace on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
Looking for a GP or family practitioner in the Williamsville, NY area. Female preferred

Submitted by Grace on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
Looking for a good general or family practioner in Williamsville, NY area. Female

Submitted by Javier Ibe on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
Need good internist and pain management dr. in Northern Virginia/Washington DC area specifically. Also excellent knee revision surgeon.

Submitted by maureen on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
I was wondering about an OB/GYN in clarkston, michigan...his name is Dr. Jonathan Zaiden. was wondering if he is a good doctor?

Submitted by Duane Owens on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
I'm looking for a good Opthomoligist who performs Lasik surgery in the Orange County area of So. California.

Submitted by April on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
I need to find a dr that will prescribe the medicines i need to control my chronic pain, Arthritis, and blown discs in my neck and back along with sciatic pain daily.

Submitted by J Batista on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
Looking for a good cervical surgeon in Brevard county , Fl.

Submitted by glennell smith on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
I am looking for a medical doctor with great bed side manners in memphis, tn

Submitted by Jill on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
I am looking for a marriage counselor

Submitted by Pat Mosher on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
I need to find a dentist that will take payments in St. Charles Co. Missouri

Submitted by jack doyle on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
Had heart attack and 6 stents in FLA on vacation three weeks ago. Now back in Toms River NJ area and looking for best cardiologist.

Submitted by Mercedes on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
I am looking for cardiologist in Virginia Beach, VA

Submitted by Nadine on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
I am looking for a good interior house painter. I am very particular.

Submitted by Joyce A. Anglin on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
I need information on a doctor in Alvin, Texas: Dr. Charles Strunk, ENT. I need this information ASAP. Thank you, Joyce A. Anglin

Submitted by steve on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10
looking for good general practicioner South Indianapolis

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