What to look for when picking a doctor

When picking a doctor you should be looking for a few different things:

• Reputation/Referral: If a physician comes highly recommended from family or friends that can help make the search much easier. Most of the time if the physician is good for a family member you trust they will be able to continue the same care for you. Ask your family and friends if they have any recommendations when starting your search for a physician.
  
  

• Interpersonal Skills: Make sure when you find a physician that it is someone you can connect with. You want to find a physician who listens to you and understands what is important to you. While your physician may have pressing issues to address with you, it is always important to feel that your concerns are being heard and addressed. Look for a physician that you can understand and be comfortable speaking with.
  
  

• Staff Support: A physician is only as good as his support staff. Look for an office with a team of people to help you when you need it most. Many offices have had their staff for many years. The longer the staff have been there, the more they know the patients’ and the physicians’ habits. This is one of the many aspects AFP Health prides itself on. It makes for a more personal environment rather than feeling like a number in a line at the DMV.
  
  

• Education/Experience: Physician education and experience are very important, but are not the most important for what you are looking for. Some patients prefer an older physician with more years of experience while others may prefer a younger physician with whom they can connect on different topics. You must figure out which factors are important for you and try to find a physician that aligns with that. Most importantly make sure you are seeing a physician led team. While every physician’s experience may vary, they have all gone through the same rigorous training and passed the same standardized exams. This helps you ensure you are seeing a highly educated and qualified physician.

But above all, the most important thing to look for is how you feel when you see the physician. The relationship between you and your physician is very important. There must be a feeling of trust and respect. Your gut feeling will be the best guidance of which doctor you should pick!