How do you all choose a doctor?

HappyDaze · ‎06-13-2012

I am looking for a couple of specialists and have been researching and researching but there are hardly any reviews online anymore and not alot of other information on health sites about the doctors.

So I was curious, how do you all decide on a doctor, especially a specialist that may have to do surgery, besides word of mouth?

TIA!

Sister Golden Hair · ‎03-09-2010

Hello Happy, my primary doctor my friend knew him and told me about his clinic.

Most large cities have places you can call to get a doctor. I can't remember the name of the organization but I will check to see what I can find out.

Do you have a primary doctor?

After getting my primary doctor, then he told me which doctors for my certain problem.

Sister Golden Hair · ‎03-09-2010

I would first try calling one of your major hospitals.

See if they have a list of the best doctors.

I have full trust in my primary doctor. In fact, he saved my life.

KathyPet · ‎03-09-2010

The ability to prounce their name ranks high with me.

on the bay · ‎03-09-2010

I look at rate mds and vitals .com and also put in search bar-reviews of that doctor's name. Then look to see if they are in my insurance.

I have found that the doctors my primary care refers , may just come from a list he has. I had thought they would be someone he knows and approves of but he told me last time, he didn't know her (the surgeon he referred me to!).

You could also put in that states "Best Doctors." AndThe Baltimore magazine comes out with the 100 top docs every year-all across the country.I think other states do too.

"If you walk the footsteps of a stranger, you'll learn things you never knew. Can you sing with all the voices of the mountains? can you paint with all the colors of the wind?"

HappyDaze · ‎06-13-2012

@on the bay wrote:
I look at rate mds and vitals .com and also put in search bar-reviews of that doctor's name. Then look to see if they are in my insurance.

I have found that the doctors my primary care refers , may just come from a list he has. I had thought they would be someone he knows and approves of but he told me last time, he didn't know her (the surgeon he referred me to!).

You could also put in that states "Best Doctors." AndThe Baltimore magazine comes out with the 100 top docs every year-all across the country.I think other states do too.

Thank you! I did look at the Top Doctors as listed by my city's magazine and those are the ones I've been researching to know more about them. Half of them aren't even at the place listed anymore and the others, I just can't find hardly any real ratings for them, even on vitals and ratemd.

HappyDaze · ‎06-13-2012

@KathyPet wrote:
The ability to prounce their name ranks high with me.

lol well being able to understand them is even more important to me. Sometimes they have such strong accents I can't even understand them!

HappyDaze · ‎06-13-2012

@Sister Golden Hair wrote:
Hello Happy, my primary doctor my friend knew him and told me about his clinic.

Most large cities have places you can call to get a doctor. I can't remember the name of the organization but I will check to see what I can find out.

Do you have a primary doctor?

After getting my primary doctor, then he told me which doctors for my certain problem.

I did yes but she left (maternity leave) and I haven't found another yet. I generally go to specialists for particular issues as primary care doctors either leave all the time or never do a thing for me.

I may just go back to my doctorthat did my last surgery- She was amazing and they have an excellent department with all top notch doctors. I just didn't want to go out of state again but will do it if I have to.

granddi · ‎03-16-2010

Doctors PAY to have his/her name listed as "Best Doctor in Your Town"

HappyDaze · ‎06-13-2012

@granddi wrote:
Doctors PAY to have his/her name listed as "Best Doctor in Your Town"

No, what I am referring to is not the same. It something they do every year and use a variety of criteria to determine the top doctor-including doctor's opinions, customer ratings, medical review board info, etc.