| There comes a time in each of our lives when we | | | | times, these types of appointments are scheduled |
| all need a doctor, whether it is for an | | | | at the end of the physician's day, in their last time |
| inconsequential illness, such as a head cold, or for | | | | slot. If the scheduler tells you that the doctor |
| a more serious reason that may be life | | | | does not see possible patients for interviews, that |
| threatening. Whatever the reason, we all need to | | | | might warrant a red flag that you should pay |
| have a doctor whom we not only have a good | | | | attention to. Most doctors will meet with possible |
| rapport with, but one we trust with our lives. | | | | patients to answer any questions they might |
| A doctor should be like an old friend. Someone we | | | | have, prior to needing their services, and if they |
| feel comfortable with knowing our most personal | | | | don't, you may want to keep looking. |
| secrets; such as, how much alcohol we really | | | | Before you meet with the physician, you should |
| consume. How many cigarettes do we generally | | | | compile a list of questions. They may be |
| smoke a day? And are we really trying to shed | | | | something like: |
| those pounds he's been insistent on us dropping? | | | | (1) How long has he been in practice? |
| We need to feel free to be honest, even honest | | | | (2) Is he Board certified? |
| about how regularly we really take that | | | | (3) What is his stance on patients being involved in |
| medication he prescribed for us. But the truth is, a | | | | their own care? |
| lot of us don't feel comfortable with our | | | | (4) Is he open to patients asking questions about |
| physicians. And we don't know how to | | | | their own case, and will he answer openly and |
| communicate how we feel when it comes to our | | | | honestly? |
| concerns about our healthcare. For some, it's a | | | | (5) What are his office policies on after-hour calls? |
| lack of trust. For others, a lack of respect. And | | | | (6) How long does he allow for patient |
| still others, their personalities simply don't mesh. | | | | appointments? |
| It can be frustrating trying to get your feelings | | | | (7) When you need to be seen, what is the |
| across to your physician. Some people feel | | | | normal time frame it takes to get an |
| uncomfortable or out of place speaking their mind | | | | appointment? |
| to someone with a plaque hanging on the wall; | | | | (8) What are his payment policies? Does his office |
| after all, he's the doctor and you're just the | | | | accept your insurance? |
| patient. And so, they keep showing up to their | | | | Any questions you come up with, he should |
| appointments and walking out of the office feeling | | | | answer and explain his policies on. Make notes on |
| more frustrated than their last visit. | | | | his answers, his tone, his bedside manners. If you |
| It is not always easy finding a doctor that you | | | | don't feel comfortable with his answers, his |
| feel comfortable with, but it is possible. We put | | | | personality, or how he responds to your |
| time and effort into finding the right hair dresser | | | | questions, take it into consideration. If he seems |
| and even the perfect mechanic that we trust | | | | rushed, or bothered, take that into consideration |
| with our automobile, but when it comes to our | | | | as well. It could be a sign of how he will handle |
| bodies, we don't always take the time to | | | | future appointments. |
| interview, or do our homework when it comes to | | | | When our health is compromised, we want |
| finding the right guy to take care of our bodies. | | | | someone who will give us the utmost care, |
| Instead, we pick a name out of the phone book | | | | attention, and consideration. We want someone to |
| and trust that he is not only knowledgeable in the | | | | have our best interest at heart. And we want our |
| particular field of medicine we are seeking, but | | | | concerns to be validated. If you don't get a good |
| that he has our best interest at heart. | | | | first impression, you might want to keep looking; |
| There are some tips to finding the right doctor | | | | interview more physicians. Not every doctor is for |
| for you, and to start, like with trying to land a | | | | every person. Just like buying a new car, or even |
| wanted job, it requires an interview process. An | | | | a new pair of shoes, we shop around. What might |
| interview with a physician should be done prior to | | | | be a good fit for one person, may not be a good |
| needing his services. You should schedule an | | | | fit for you. If you do your research and plan |
| appointment for a time when you are not ill, and | | | | ahead, the next time you need a doctor, you |
| let the scheduler know that you are seeking a | | | | may find that the healing process is much easier |
| new physician and would like to come in and just | | | | to handle if you already have an idea of who will |
| talk with him and ask some questions. A lot of | | | | be treating you. |