It’s no easy task to select a primary care doctor. And while every situation is unique and based upon the type of practitioner and the patient’s wellness and illness needs, asking the right questions from the start can help you develop a positive relationship with your doctor. Here are some things to ask and take into consideration when selecting a doctor.
1. Who covers for you when you are not on call and if it is necessary to reach you while you are not on-call can that be possible at times?
2. Do you give out your cell phone number to patients and are you willing to receive and respond to text messages?
3. Do you offer your email address to patients and are you willing to respond to email messages.
4. What are the hours that your office is open?
5. Would they be willing to put you in touch with a patient who has been with you for two years or more to contact as a reference?
6. Find out about any specialized training, internships, residencies, board certifications etc.
7. If this practice treats a specific patient population, what is that population? If there are specialists within the practice what are those specialties? Are there types of conditions you do not treat and if so where are these referred?
8 Which hospital or hospitals do you have admitting privileges?
9. What are your thoughts on alternative (i.e. holistic, naturopathic, homeopathic . . .etc) approaches to specific disease entities? Do you have a referral base for these types of alternate care providers or will you be willing to work in conjunction with some that I may already have relationships with?
10. What is the average waiting time that a patient experiences for a scheduled visit to your office?
Denise Caron-Quinn, Founder and President of In Order to Succeed, is an RN with a graduate degree in Nursing and an MBA from Columbia University. One of the things In Order to Succeed does for our clients is help with their health care needs by assisting clients navigate through the maze of complex health and insurance requirements.