There are many reasons you may be looking for a new doctor. Among them, your doctor is retiring or has already retired, or you recently moved to a new area.
When you are looking for a new doctor, here are some things to consider.
What kind of doctor should I choose
There are different kinds of doctors:
- A family doctor sees patients of all ages, with no particular specialization
- An internist works with adult patients
- A geriatrician specializes in older people
There are benefits and drawbacks to choosing each type. At Regency Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers, we have all three types of doctors on our staff. Their varied specialties provide depth to their care and treatment of our residents.
After deciding what kind of doctor you’re looking for, ask local friends or relatives for recommendations. Ask them specific questions such as, “What do you like about your doctor?” and “How organized is the office?”
What to look for when choosing a new doctor
Here are some things to ask when researching a new doctor:
- Is the doctor board certified? Board certified means that the doctor has extra training, passed exams, and is certified to work in a specialty field such as geriatrics.
- Does the practice accept your insurance?
- Does the office submit the insurance claims or is it the patients’ responsibility?
- What hospital does the doctor work with? Would you be comfortable being treated at that hospital?
- Is your doctor affiliated with any nursing homes? If you plan to enter a long term care facility in the future, you may want to choose a doctor associated with the good nursing homes in your area.
- Is the doctor’s office easy for you to get to? Is there enough parking and is the building wheelchair accessible?
- Does the office have a lab onsite, or would you have to go to a separate facility for blood work or x-rays?
- Who sees patients when the doctor is unavailable?
- Is the staff friendly and courteous?
You chose a doctor. Now what?
When seeing your new doctor for the first time, bring your medical records and a list of medications you are currently taking. Don’t be afraid to bring up any concerns you may have. Talking to the doctor is a good way to gauge his manner and knowledge. You want to be able to talk to him comfortably and feel like you trust him.
Remember that you’re not locked in to your choice of doctor. If it’s not working out, you can always switch to a different practice.
