Healthcare is one of those areas where most people spare no expense to protect themselves and their loved ones. With the rising number of reputable healthcare providers, you can choose among the best doctors and find the clinical arrangement that works for you. Whether you are looking for a primary care physician or a specialty doctor, the choice requires careful consideration so that you get the safest and most comfortable experience.

Board certification
Top-rated local doctors who have been certified by the ABMS should be given preference for primary health care. The ABMS certification is awarded to professionals who have acquired their degree from a qualified school, have completed 3–7 years of residency training after studies, and passed one or more examinations of ABMS administered by a board member. You can also use the DoctorFinder tool to look for certified healthcare professionals in the country. Its Advanced Search options allow you to find a doctor by name, specialty, and location. You can then choose from the list of doctors and see their education and other details.

Insurance considerations
Insurance providers usually have a list of doctors and hospitals catering to different healthcare needs. Your choice might be limited to the list depending on the conditions of your health insurance. So, you should check the plan website to find in-network doctors who can work with your insurance plan. If you have shortlisted candidates, you can contact the insurance company or check their website or directory to find a doctor by name. Before scheduling an appointment, call the doctor’s office to verify that they can work with your plan. This is an important step to ensure you get the maximum benefits with the least out-of-pocket expenses.

Compatibility
A healthy and comfortable patient-doctor relationship enables receiving and delivering the best possible care. The first doctor visit will help you understand if the healthcare professional is genuinely interested in your overall well-being. Red flags like malpractice claims and disciplinary actions against doctors are not uncommon, making it all the more important to find an attentive and considerate doctor. Based on your initial interactions, you should find a doctor whose care goals align with yours. 

Quality check
Checking the healthcare professional’s track record is a crucial step in your quest to find a doctor. While this includes checking for malpractice claims and other red flags, you should check patient reviews and ratings (if available online) and the success rate for the kind of treatment you want. You can look up online rankings for the list of best doctors and start from there. It also might be safer to choose a highly recommended doctor who has some experience and adequate expertise in the kind of care they provide.

Attitude towards representatives
This is one of the most important factors to consider during the initial visits to the clinic or hospital. Representatives from pharmaceutical companies can take up a lot of the doctor’s time and also influence their choice of treatments and brands. This can make many doctors and physicians prescribe brand-specific options that are expensive or not the ideal course of treatment for patients. So, try asking the right questions to gauge the doctor’s attitude towards brand reps. This can help you ensure they will not push certain brands’ treatment options in the future instead of objectively prescribing the right course of treatment.

Treatment options offered
Patients require different kinds of treatments; accordingly, doctors should be able to develop a customized plan. For instance, if seeking treatment for pain relief, injection treatment might work for a patient, whereas options like TENS therapy or bioelectric therapy would be effective for another patient. So, try to find a doctor whose experience extends to different treatments and procedures.

Scope for expert collaboration
At times, diagnosis and treatment might call for expert intervention and collaboration with specialist doctors. For instance, patients may need physical therapy after an injury or surgical treatment. This could be accompanied by chiropractic or acupuncture care. Further, some patients may require psychiatric consultation. So, it is essential to ask about the scope for collaboration and see if the clinic or hospital can provide comprehensive treatment where expertise in multiple specialties is required.

Availability of telehealth services
It might not be feasible for all patients to schedule an in-person visit whenever they need advice. Also, in-person appointments might not be crucial in some instances, and you can get a quick diagnosis by discussing the symptoms with your doctor. This is where virtual visits can help by facilitating a consultation at home. Online consultation can reduce the hassle of traveling to the clinic and help you avoid waiting rooms. If this is something that you prioritize, make sure you find a healthcare facility that offers telehealth services.

A comfortable patient-doctor relationship, as well as good communication and collaboration, ensure better healthcare. So, choosing the right doctor by considering the critical factors mentioned above is essential for getting the care you deserve.