How To Pick The Right Doctor
Of course all of get sick once in awhile. And that’s fine, taking that we get well fast. But, what really happens when you get sick. Let’s think about it for a moment. First of all you feel terrible. Yes, you ache, you feel ill, everything is just wrong; and that’s just the beginning. On top of this you have to think about many other issues like work and paying bills. The problem is that when you are sick, the bills don’t stop coming. That’s right. Unlike you they never get sick or take time off. They just pile up and matters become worse.
Now, let us ask ourselves what we should do in case of medical problems and emergencies. We need a doctor, - doctor who is good and honest, who will treat you kindly and with respect at your most vulnerable time. The nest question is where you go to find such help, such doctor. You are very fortunate if you already have one, or if you can get some recommendation from your friends and family. But what if you are not so lucky? Here we have some recommendations on what to do and how to font the right doctor:
1. Get a list - If you are in a managed care plan, you will receive a list of doctors who practice within that system. If you are on your own, narrow down your list by asking family and friends, checking with a local hospital or public health nurse, or contacting the nearest County Medical Association.
2. Check credentials - Find out what your managed care plan does to check out the doctor’s credentials. Write the Board of Healing Arts, P.O. Box 4, Jefferson City, MO 65102 to find out if the doctor is licensed to practice in Missouri. By calling the American Board of Medical Specialists at 1 (866) 275-2267, you can find out if the doctor is certified in the speciality areas she has indicated.
3. Talk to the doctor’s receptionist - Your impression of the receptionist and other staff is important. It often reflects the attitude of the doctors.
4. Check out the office - The facilities should be clean and pleasant. Patients should not be kept waiting for long periods of time. The staff, including the doctor, should be pleasant and professional. You should be greeted in a friendly and respectful manner.
5. Interview the doctor - Interviewing the doctor might be the only way to find out if this is someone you can work with. When interviewing the doctor you want to find out how she keeps up with the latest developments in her field, what her office hours are, what is the best time to call her if you have a question and what you should do for health care if she is not available. If after the interview, you feel uncomfortable or unsure, don’t hesitate to interview someone else.
6. Check out your feelings - Someone can technically be a very good doctor, but if you are not comfortable with that person and don’t think you can work with her, then she might not be the best doctor for you. If she doesn’t explain things in terms you can understand, she might not be the right doctor for you. Or, if you don’t trust her enough to ask questions, share personal information, and be assertive she might not be the right doctor for you either.
Now, lastly Good News for New Yorkers, there is help! Especially good news for New Yorkers and those who live around New York City in the suburbs: Long Island, New York upstate and of course all five New York boroughs: Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island and Bronx. There is a good list of doctors ready to see you now. You can find all of them at www.iSearchNewYork.com
Be well and cheers!
http://www.iSearchNewYork.com is a new and fast developing on-line guide for New York city and the surrounding area. It gained its popularity during the yea of 2007 as it made its information on New York public.
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