Choosing a Doctor You Can Talk to

Published July 15, 2009 at 1:48 p.m.

1. Decide what you are looking for in a doctor -- A good first step is to make a list of qualities that are important to you. Then, go back over the list and decide which are most important and which are nice, but not essential.

2. Identify several possible doctors -- After you have a general sense of what you are looking for, ask friends and relatives, medical specialists, and other health professionals for the names of doctors with whom they have had good experiences. A doctor whose name comes up often may be a strong possibility. Rather than just getting a name, ask about the person's experiences. For example, ask, "What do you like about Dr. Smith?" It may be helpful to come up with a few names to choose from, in case the doctor you select is not currently taking new patients.

3. Consult reference sources -- The Directory of Physicians in the United States and the Official American Board of Medical Specialties Directory of Board Certified Medical Specialists are available at many libraries. These references won't recommend individual doctors, but they will provide a list to choose from. Doctors who are "board certified" have had training after regular medical school and have passed an exam certifying them as specialists in certain fields of medicine. This includes the primary care fields of general internal medicine, family medicine, and geriatrics. Board certification is one way to tell about a doctor's expertise, but it doesn't address the doctor's communication skills.

This chart can be helpful in your search for a doctor.

Things to consider when selecting a doctor:

• Is the location of the doctor's office important? How far can I travel to see the doctor?

• Is the hospital the doctor admits patients to important to me?

• Is the age, sex, race, or religion of the doctor important?

• Do I prefer a single doctor or a group practice?

• Do I have to choose a doctor who is covered by my insurance plan?

• Does the doctor accept Medicare?

• Is the doctor board-certified? In what field?

What are the doctor's office policies?

• Is the doctor taking new patients?

• What days/hours does the doctor see patients?