Find the Doctor of Your Dreams

We hear you: Finding a spouse or a job is easy compared with finding the right doctor. So if a change in insurance or a desire for a different bedside manner has sent you shopping for a new physician, use this list to make the search easier:

Ask: Is the doctor accepting new patients?
Good answer: "Yes," or "Possibly," or even "Not right now." You want a busy doc with plenty of patients (same reason you'd rather order pasta in a crowded restaurant instead of an empty one). "No" really means get to know the office manager and be persistent and you'll get in within a few weeks or months. We'd go elsewhere.

Ask: Is this doctor working primarily in management?
Good answer: "No, she only sees patients," or "Yes, but she sees patients at least one day a week."You don't want someone who sees patients when she can. A "chief" who's managing the careers of 90 people might have a difficult time making your care her top priority.

Ask: Which types of patients does the doctor usually see?
Good answer: Listen for descriptions of people who are your age or have similar concerns.

Ask: In the office, does the doctor practice alone or with other physicians?
Good answer: With other physicians who have equally strong credentials. You don't really want someone who practices alone, unless you live in a rural area where that's the norm. If you find that the new doc isn't a match, don't stick it out. It's essential that you find someone you feel good about partnering with in your healthcare. Here are a few more tips for tracking down your perfect doctor.

Want better healthcare? Learn how to work the system to get the best care possible.