Get the Best Medical Experience

Though doctor visits aren’t our favorite activities – especially when seeing a new doctor for the first time – there are ways to improve your experience. We talked to some experts and did some research to put together these quick tips for being a smarter first-time patient:

Check with your insurance.

Before visiting a doctor, be sure to check to make sure your insurance will cover your appointments. If you’re absolutely set on seeing a specific out-of-network physician, ask the office about payment plans or if they will consider accepting your insurance.

Research the doctor’s reputation.

Websites like womencertified.com, healthgrades.com and docboard.org can give you peer reviews and feedback about the physician’s reputation, ratings, certifications and disciplinary actions (if any). Talking to trusted friends and others in your area can also give you firsthand feedback.

Check out the office environment.

Is the receptionist friendly and helpful? Is the waiting room clean, inviting and comforting? Though these clues do not necessarily reflect a doctor’s medical skills or knowledge, they do reflect on his or her professionalism and concern for your comfort and satisfaction.

Ask questions.

Think of yourself as the customer and your doctor as a service provider. As the customer, you are the decision maker and you should feel comfortable asking questions without feeling intimidated or pushed into anything. Before your visit ask yourself, what do you want from your doctor, and what do you want to find out before trusting your care to him or her? Some sample questions to consider asking at your first visit:

• How long must you wait for an appointment after you call? Can you be seen on the same day if you have an urgent need?
• What is your philosophy on ______? (Ex. Vaccinations, pain management, elective surgery, VBACs, etc.)
• Will I see you at every appointment, or will I see a nurse practitioner or PA?
• What past experience do you have with my specific condition/illness?
• What specialists and hospitals do you work with?

Examine your interaction with the doctor.

Studies show that patients get better care from doctors they feel they can talk to and communicate with. If your doctor gets offended when you ask questions, or if he or she cuts you off before you are finished describing your medical history or symptoms, then this might not be the doctor for you. Does he or she make eye contact and show interest in you? Even if they are renowned in their field, are you really going to trust their advice if they don’t get to know you and treat you as an individual? It’s worth driving a longer distance or enduring additional inconvenience to work with a doctor you really connect with.

Bring a buddy.

Sometimes having a friend, spouse or partner along with you for a “second opinion” can help you to ease any nervousness you might have, as well as give you an extra set of ears to be sure you soak up everything the doctor says.

The bottom line is that you are the customer in the doctor/patient relationship, and your satisfaction matters most. You and your family’s health are vitally important, and you want to be sure you are entrusting it to a physician who is caring, knowledgeable, skilled and compassionate. If you don’t feel completely secure or if you have concerns, don’t be afraid to speak up and talked to the doctor about it. If you still don’t have a good feeling, it’s probably time to try someone else.