Topic Overview

Introduction

Choosing a doctor or other health care supplier is very crucial. The relationship you have with your health wish provider greatly influences the health decisions you make and, ultimately, your health .
Whether you are looking for a elementary worry doctor or a specialist, it ‘s significant to find a doctor you can partner with. A hard partnership between you and your doctor is key to getting great wish and reducing costs. When you have many doctors, think of them as contribution of your health worry team. Ask your doctors to communicate with each other about your concern .

What types of providers may be a good choice?

A primary wish doctor of the church who understands your needs, such as a class medicate sophisticate or an internist, can be a valuable spouse for your health care. A chief care doctor is identical important for helping to coordinate your care, particularly if you are seeing unlike specialists for multiple health problems .
For most people, a board-certified kin medicine sophisticate or an internist is a good choice for chief care. For children and teens, a board-certified baby doctor or family medicine doctor is a good option. Family doctors, internists, and pediatricians have knowledge about many coarse checkup problems.

Some women prefer to use a gynecologist as their primary care repair. Gynecologists are doctors who specialize in the female generative system .
Some people choose a “ mid-level ” supplier, such as a doctor adjunct or a nurse practitioner. These providers can diagnose and treat many basic health problems, and they much partner with a sophisticate as contribution of a health worry team .
Specialists
Medical specialists are doctors who have completed boost education and clinical discipline in a specific area of medicine ( their forte area ). A doctor of the church becomes board-certified by completing coach in a forte area and passing an examination. To keep this documentation, doctors must take continuing checkup education courses and pass periodic examination.

How can you find a health care provider?

You can ask friends or family to recommend a doctor. Or it may be helpful to ask another health care master, such as a nurse or a doctor you ‘ve seen before .
These websites may be helpful for finding a health care supplier :

• www.ama-assn.org (American Medical Association)
• www.medicare.gov
• www.healthfinder.gov
• www.facs.org (American College of Surgeons)

What questions should you ask?

Think about what you are looking for in a doctor of the church. Find out whether the doctor is well-trained and feel, available when needed, and volition to work with you as a collaborator.

Before you choose a doctor, call or visit his or her office. Tell the receptionist that you are looking for a raw doctor. here are some questions you may want to ask :

• Is the doctor accepting new patients?
• Is the doctor board-certified?
• Where did the doctor get his or her education and training?
• Which hospitals does the doctor work with?
• Who fills in for the doctor when he or she isn’t available?
• Does the doctor belong to my health insurance plan, and will the office bill my insurance for me?
• What types of patients does the doctor see?

What can you do during your first visit?

During your first visit, tell your sophisticate that you would like to share in making treatment decisions. Pay attention to how you feel during the inflict. Think about these questions :

• Does the doctor listen well and answer your questions?
• Does the doctor use terms you can understand and explain things clearly?
• Does the doctor spend enough time with you?
• Can you build a good working relationship with the doctor?
• Does the doctor encourage you to take an active part in your care?

talk with your sophisticate about being a collaborator in your health decisions. It may take more than one visit for you to find out whether or not you can spouse good with your doctor .