Choosing the Right Physician

In these days, on almost every corner you will find a clinic or healthcare center. In addition to the ever growing number of health institutions, the number of medical practitioners also increases. And, it has become confusing which is the right doctor for the right disease. Therefore, the dilemma of choosing the right doctor becomes inevitable.

In choosing your doctor, you have to consider their level of expertise, their area of specialty, their credentials, and experience. Yes you have to be meticulous about the credentials of your doctor. You have to know if he is the right doctor for your illness. For example, if you have heart problems, don’t consult an urologist since his diagnosis may be inaccurate. Instead, consult a cardiologist. Better check their experience as well.

There is one school of thought that doctors that have been practicing longer have more experience and therefore are better prepared to handle patients and whatever problems they may be faced with. However, the flip side of that is newer doctors are fresh out of school and they have recently studied newer techniques. This means they may be more willing to try progressive strategies.

In addition, check if the doctor is board certified. Checking his certifications will make you at ease that he is really qualified to treat your ailment. You can take this a step further if you like to investigate whether or not complaints have been filed against the physician.

Also, you have to know which hospital the doctor is affiliated with. In some cases this will give you a glimpse on how good the doctor is. Of course, if that doctor is affiliated with some coo-coo clinic you probably want to avoid him or her. You know the type – maybe, it’s the one known for giving out prescriptions for whatever you ask for, whether you need it or not. While that may sound good at times, the truth is, if you are in dire straits, you want a professional that has high ethical standards in regards to patient care.

Don’t forget to verify the location of the clinic or the hospital where he is working. Check its accessibility to your home and work. If you only have a simple flu or cough, you don’t need to see a doctor who is 10 miles away. You must also be aware of the doctor’s office hours. You should be aware how long typical appointments take and if he handles after office hours calls. This will ensure that you will be there on the right time of the appointment as well as able to reach him in case of emergencies. Since most have health insurance plan like an HMO or PPO, better check if your chosen doctor is a member. By doing so, you will save a lot of dollars.

Ask for referrals or recommendations. You may obtain them from a good friend or from your current or past doctor. Do this especially if you move a lot or if you are into travelling. Check for any malpractice record. You can do this by visiting the State Physical Profile website of by simply checking the County Clerk’s office. If you see a doctor that you really want and you really think that passes your screening, ask for an appointment. By doing so, you will meet him face to face; you can explain what you feel, and he should be willing to listen to all of your concerns. During that conversation, you can determine if he is right for you.

How? By knowing how confident he, how he interacts and how he based his judgments of the illness. If you have questions, did he answer it accordingly? Did he explain every step and procedures or tests and results that you have to undertake? And, one more thing did you like his personality? This can become an important issue if at some point you become seriously ill and require frequent doctor visits. You would want a doctor that you enjoy being around – one with a personality that is pleasant. If you answered yes to these questions, then he is the right one for you.

It is indeed exhausting to search for the right doctor that may help you – this is an important decision because we are talking about lives here. Any single misdiagnosis may lead to more health problems or worse, to death. Thus, always do your research and don’t be too emotional in deciding who will be your physician.

Warren Tattersall has been a full time nutritional consultant for over a decade and works with people all over the world to help them improve their health, increase their personal energy levels and to use supplements to assist with diet related health issues.

This site has many helpful tips about nutrition and free health plans to reduce your high blood pressure and help you with a healthy heart. Not only will you get valuable cardiovascular problems health tips about fish oil for cardiovascular health, but you can also get free A-Z of Heart Health ebook download from here:TheHealthSuccessSite.com

To have a free personal consultation with him to learn how incorporating nutritional supplements may improve your health concerns just visit “The Health Success Site” and download the free health report available there, or email warren@TheHealthSuccessSite.com to request a personal one-on-one consultation by email or phone.