It can be difficult to find a doctor that you can trust, and with good cause. There are millions of doctors around the nation, but just because a physician has a medical degree does not make them a great choice for you. As a patient, you need someone you feel comfortable exchanging sensitive information with, sharing health problems, admitting vulnerabilities, and ultimately trust to make the right decisions.
Every single physician and patient is a different person with their own unique personality. Therefore, not every patient is the right fit for every physician. However, finding the right doctor doesn’t have to be an intimidating prospect; it just has to be something you approach carefully and logically. In the same way, you wouldn’t just choose the first Google result when searching for a service provider — you need to be ready and willing to look around first.
Ask Around
One of the best ways to start your search is simply by asking around. Find out who your friends, family, and neighbors see and ask them what they do and don’t like about their doctors. Use their feedback to judge if a physician may or may not be the right choice for you. Social media has made this task easier than ever as you can now simply just put out feelers and get feedback from dozens of people in just a few hours.
Check Out Online Reviews
By the way, while you are online ask your friends for more information about the physicians they use and then jump on Google to do a quick search for reviews. These days there are multiple physician websites where people can leave reviews and some physician networks even allow patients to leave detailed reviews. This can help you quickly narrow down your list to a few that have glowing reviews and specialty areas that match what you need.
Research Their Credentials
Once you have a shortlist of potential physicians, it’s time to research their credentials and find out what their areas of study are. If you have a chronic illness, it pays to look for a doctor that specializes in that area. Some internal medicine doctors have special areas of interest, and even specialists have specialties often. For instance, one gastroenterologist may specialize in stomach disease while another has a special interest in intestinal disease. You want a physician who has interests and experience with medicine that matches your medical history.
Test Out Potential Physicians
A lot of people don’t realize they can schedule a visit with the sole purpose of establishing care. During this visit, you can test out a potential physician to see if you mesh well. A simple 15-minute visit should be enough to get a feel for the doctor and whether or not your personalities are compatible. Did the technology in the office and their bedside manner feel comfortable to you? Would you feel comfortable talking about sensitive issues with the physician? Ask as many questions as you need to feel comfortable and follow your gut instinct.
Contact Diamond Physicians of Dallas-Fort Worth
If you need a new physician in the Dallas-Fort Worth area you should consider meeting with a doctor from Diamond Physicians. We are a direct primary care provider in the Dallas-Forth Worth area and have several physicians on staff who are welcoming new patients. Give us a call and see if our practice is a good fit for your medical needs.