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Talking With Your Doctor |
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 Choosing
a doctor
If you are looking for a new doctor, decide what qualities are important
to you. Ask family members, friends, and other health care professionals
for the names of doctors they recommend. Then find out the answers
to some important questions.
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Is the doctor accepting new patients? |
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Is the doctor in a group practice? |
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What days and times does the doctor see patients?
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How far in advance do I have to make appointments?
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How fast can I be seen if something happens that
scares me? Who will likely see me then? |
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Can the office do simple urine and blood tests?
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Who takes care of patients after hours or when
my doctor is away? |
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Is the office located close enough to be a comfortable
trip? |
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Which hospital does the doctor admit patients
to? |
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Does the doctor see patients at home? In nursing
homes? In hospice? |
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Does the doctor accept my insurance or health
plan? |
Call the office of each doctor you are considering, tell them that
you are looking for a new doctor, and ask the questions you choose.
Also, ask if the doctor has introductory visits available for people
who want to meet before deciding on a doctor. If so, ask what you
should bring with you to such a meeting and what the fee will be.
When you visit a doctor's office for the first time, don 't wait until
you meet the doctor to begin forming your impressions. Take note of
how attentive the office staff is to patients, how long you and other
patients wait, how long the phone rings before it is answered, how
organized everyone seems to be, and how easy it appears to be to arrange
payment and follow-up appointments. Also, pay attention to see if
other patients' personal information is handled quietly or is discussed
loudly enough for everyone to know why they called. A beautiful waiting
room is nice, but it can 't substitute for polite, professional care
from the staff.
(Adapted from "Talking with Your Doctor: A Guide for Older People,"
by the National Institute on Aging) |
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Adapted from The
Handbook for Mortals: Guidance for People Facing Serious Illness,
by Joanne Lynn and Joan Harrold, copyright by Joanne Lynn, used by
permission of Oxford University Press.
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