How do you all choose a doctor? - Page 2

Toppers · ‎01-01-2015

@HappyDaze wrote:
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!

I have always been referred to specialists by a primary care doctor, and have chosen a primary care doctor usually due to the kind of health insurance coverage that I had at the time-from their network selection of available doctors.

I read through your responses, HappyDaze.

I was in your same predicament, except my previous doctor had retired, and I needed to find another one.

I just called through the names of doctors on the insurance network list for our health insurance, to see who was available and who was accepting new patients, and who fit the criteria I was looking for, until I found the great doctor that we have now.

It took a little bit of effort on my part to find him, but it was worth it!

Suebdoo · ‎08-31-2013

@HappyDaze Not sure where you are but I have 3 specialist I see . I have a major teaching hospital a mile from me and really lucked out that my PCP and the others are all there. I know some people shy away from teaching hospitals but the residents on staff working with the specialists literally saved my life about 3 years ago. If you have anything like that near you I would look into it.

I wish you the Best of luck finding one you have confidence in!!!

HappyDaze · ‎06-13-2012

@Suebdoo wrote:
@HappyDaze Not sure where you are but I have 3 specialist I see . I have a major teaching hospital a mile from me and really lucked out that my PCP and the others are all there. I know some people shy away from teaching hospitals but the residents on staff working with the specialists literally saved my life about 3 years ago. If you have anything like that near you I would look into it.
I wish you the Best of luck finding one you have confidence in!!!

@Suebdoo thank you! Yes, I have a major teaching hospital about 45 minutes or more, depending on traffic. That is where we see some of our specialists and where Ihad my PC's but they keep leaving! I actually really like them but it is a bit of a drive, especially if there will be hospital stays, I'd hate to have my hubby drive back and forth. But that is probably where I will end up if not back at UCSF, which is also a teaching hospital and I loved it there (as much as you can love a hospital, lol). I am glad they saved your life, I bet it was scary for you but sounds like you were in great hands!

HappyDaze · ‎06-13-2012

@Toppers wrote:
@HappyDaze wrote:
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!
I have always been referred to specialists by a primary care doctor, and have chosen a primary care doctor usually due to the kind of health insurance coverage that I had at the time-from their network selection of available doctors.

I read through your responses, HappyDaze.

I was in your same predicament, except my previous doctor had retired, and I needed to find another one.

I just called through the names of doctors on the insurance network list for our health insurance, to see who was available and who was accepting new patients, and who fit the criteria I was looking for, until I found the great doctor that we have now.

It took a little bit of effort on my part to find him, but it was worth it!

@Toppers yeah I used to be referred to a specialist by my primary care due to having an HMO instead of a PPO and even now with a PPO primary care docs sometimes have to refer me to a specialist- that is how I got my cardiologist, my primary care referred me to him before my surgery last year. He is awesome and I am glad she referred me to him.

I am on the lookout for a new primary care too but haven't found one yet either. Sigh. It is just so hard, there are so many that I don't really like and the ones I do always end up leaving. My last PC did nothing about my last lab results even though it is evident I need to see an endorcrinologist...Just goes to show you that just because you are a doctor, doesn't mean you are a GOOD doctor.

Thanks for your suggestions, it helps!

Toppers · ‎01-01-2015

@HappyDaze wrote:
@Toppers wrote:
@HappyDaze wrote:
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!
I have always been referred to specialists by a primary care doctor, and have chosen a primary care doctor usually due to the kind of health insurance coverage that I had at the time-from their network selection of available doctors.

I read through your responses, HappyDaze.

I was in your same predicament, except my previous doctor had retired, and I needed to find another one.

I just called through the names of doctors on the insurance network list for our health insurance, to see who was available and who was accepting new patients, and who fit the criteria I was looking for, until I found the great doctor that we have now.

It took a little bit of effort on my part to find him, but it was worth it!
@Toppers yeah I used to be referred to a specialist by my primary care due to having an HMO instead of a PPO and even now with a PPO primary care docs sometimes have to refer me to a specialist- that is how I got my cardiologist, my primary care referred me to him before my surgery last year. He is awesome and I am glad she referred me to him.

I am on the lookout for a new primary care too but haven't found one yet either. Sigh. It is just so hard, there are so many that I don't really like and the ones I do always end up leaving. My last PC did nothing about my last lab results even though it is evident I need to see an endorcrinologist...Just goes to show you that just because you are a doctor, doesn't mean you are a GOOD doctor.

Thanks for your suggestions, it helps!

I'm glad I could help. I understand your frustration.

Another thing that you can try doing is calling your local hospitals-or looking at their websites even-and checking their physician reference\referral section.

The hosptial should have a list of doctors-both primary and specialists who are available at their hospital. You can call and talk to a rep. and also ask if the doctor you are interested in is accepting new patients, and if they also accept your health ins.

Sometimes this info. may be listed on the website, and sometimes you may just have to make a list of doctors you are interested in, and just call their offices and ask these questions to their staff directly.

Good luck-I understand the stress of having to find another doctor.

sfnative · ‎03-10-2010

@HappyDaze wrote:
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!

@HappyDaze

Hi HappyDaze,

I'm going to give you another avenue to try. Within your community or county, write down a list of the major hospitals. Now, looking at this list, take it one hospital at a time. What do you know about the hospital? Does it have a good rep? Does it get good press? If the answers are "No" to most of the three, then cross that hospital off your list. Once you've gotten through your list and you know which hospitals are acceptable to you, go to their websites and click on "Staff" or "Physicians" or "Find a Physician" or something similar to that. You'll be able to find physicians per specialty, so that will be easy for you.

When you're on a hospital's website looking at Dr. Smith, an orthopedic surgeon, since you have an injured shoulder, you need to find an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in shoulders. Many times shoulder docs are "Shoulder and Knee" docs. I'm not saying you have a shoulder problem, this is just an example. Following this I look for where the doc:

1. went to medical school

2. did his/her recidency (this is the 4-6 additonal years where they learn their specialty)

3. Did he/she do a fellowship? If so, where and what was the clinical emphasis?

4. Very important: Is this doc Board Certified in his/her specialty? I cannot stress how important this is.

Also, I ALWAYS look for docs who have gone to well known medical schools - medical schools and residency programs with a rep. When we moved to Portland 2 years ago, I knew I wanted a doc in the "P" system, but didn't have a clue who, as the system is large. I found an internist who went to Dartmouth and had other great credentials. I've been with her 2 years now and never regretted choosing her as my internist using my "find a doctor" method.

The best of luck to you in your quest.

gmkb · ‎07-29-2012

If you know a hospital nurse, that is an excellent source. When I worked in the hospital, we saw the patients who were making a good recovery and those who were having a more difficult time due to surgical skill.

If you know an anesthesiologist, that is another good source. They are part of the surgical team and see the level of surgical skill firsthand.

If you are comfortable with your pcp's care, then his/her recommendation would be another source.

panda1234 · ‎04-27-2015

This is going to sound silly but, as my mom said if you can get an appointment the next day you most likely should not go to that doctor. I have found this to be true. The good ones always seem to have a long wait but are worth it.

Winkk · ‎03-15-2010

The first thing I do is go into Healthgrades.com. Type in the specialist in my region and see what comes up. I go with the docs that get 5 stars. (Some people don't think Healthgrades is a reliable source but I have not found that to be true.) Then I Google their name and see what comes up. (I like to read their bios and experience). Lastly, I check to see if that doc is part of my insurance. Most of the time they are.

This method has worked for me several times.

INDIANA BONES · ‎01-01-2014

If you have a teaching college/hospital near you, that is the way to go IMHO. Try to get an MD that is a professor and if possible Chief of Staff in the area of medicine you are needing a doctor. That is normally a win/win situation.

I also know my father had a doctor he went to and was not fond of. He later went to the site that gives information on MD's and fond out that MD had recently lost her license due questions over the scripts she was giving out.

Lawsuits are also listed on this site. (Which we all know certainly do not always mean they are legit) I wish I knew what site he used because of memory retention, I doubt he can tell me now but he was 90 when he fond the site and I know one is out there. Good Luck