Get a Referral

iVillage.com: 9 Ways to Find Dr. Right

If you need to see a specialist, ask your primary care physician for a recommendation. “Patients sometimes think that doctors get kickbacks for referrals. That’s absolutely not true,” says Dana Simpler, M.D., a primary care physician in Baltimore. Doctors make referrals because they want their patients being treated by someone who has a proven track record in their field of expertise. “If I don’t have a working history with the physician you choose, I can’t vouch for her treatment plans or outcomes,” says Dr. Simpler.

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Get a Referral

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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Check Your Insur...

Unfortunately, your sister’s favorite doctor might not take your insurance. So before you make an appointment, log on to your health insurer’s website to access their list of covered providers. Simply select the type of doctor you’re looking for (a dermatologist or pediatrician) and enter your zip code and the number of miles you’re willing to travel. Once you’ve found a couple of doctors who meet your criteria, call and find out if they’re accepting new patients.

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Verify Credentia...

Once you’ve found a doctor you think is a good fit, do a background check with the Federation of State Medical Boards. For a fee, you can find out whether the physician was ever disciplined by the medical board for violations such as prescribing medications to patients who don’t need them or sexual misconduct. You’ll also find information about his or her education, licensing, specialties and board certifications. Your state’s medical board website might also have the same information.

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Ask Around

Word of mouth is the number-one way that people find their doctors, according to a 2008 survey conducted by the Center for Studying Health System Change. Ask family, friends, co-workers and neighbors for a recommendation. But don’t just get a name. Ask questions. Find out how long they’ve been seeing this doctor, why they like her, how long they usually wait and whether it’s easy to get an appointment, especially on short notice.

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See How the Doc ...

HealthGrades, Vitals, and RateMDs allow patients to post doctor reviews and rate their satisfaction on everything from wait time to office friendliness to bedside manner. While this info can be helpful, remember it’s also highly subjective. “People have differing opinions about what makes a good doctor, just as they do about movies and books,” says Simpler. Be discerning. If the complaints are similar and there are a lot of them, you might want to scratch that practitioner off of your list. Also check out his personal and professional Facebook pages as well as his practice’s website.

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Get the Local Sc...

Find out what locals think about a certain doctor via consumer sites like Angie’s List (you’ll pay a membership fee) or Yelp (it’s free). As with other rating sites, it’s helpful to get an overview of people’s opinions but don’t let one or two bad comments sway you from trying out a doctor if all the other credentials are impressive.

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Scope Out Health...

Nearly every medical specialty has its own national organization and they all have an online presence. Tore a ligament in your knee? The American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons can help you search for a surgeon in your area. Worried about a weird-looking mole? The Skin Cancer Foundation site features a physician finder tool. If you know you want to go to a specific hospital or medical clinic, check out their websites to see a list of affiliated physicians.

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Meet and Greet

Once you’ve narrowed your selection, consider scheduling an informational session with your top choices. In addition to making sure the doctor’s a good fit for your needs, you can survey the office and chat with staff. “This is the time to inquire about wait times, scheduling for emergency problems, accessibility during and after hours if you have questions, and to find out more about the doctor’s training and medical philosophy,” says Maysel Kemp White, Ph.D., president of the American Academy on Communication in Healthcare. Keep in mind that not all physicians have the time to meet with prospective patients. Others may charge a fee that’s unlikely to be covered by insurance.

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Set Realistic Ex...

Confidence in a doctor is as important as comfort. (Some would even argue that it’s more vital.) “Some highly-skilled, well-respected doctors have terrible bedside manners,” says Simpler. “This doesn’t mean you’ll get bad medical advice or treatment.” Don’t automatically rule out a physician simply because you don’t feel warm fuzzies for her. In the end, what matters most is that you get the care you need to lead a long and healthy life.

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