Questions to Ask

1. Do you come away from a visit to your doctor feeling less than satisfied?
2. Are you routinely kept waiting over 20 minutes past your scheduled time before you are seen?
3. Do you feel your concerns are given adequate attention? Does your doctor listen well?
4. Do you feel comfortable asking questions?
5. Are your questions answered? Is your doctor able to say, “I don’t know. Let me get back to you on that.”
6. Are you encouraged to seek a second opinion? Are referrals given, as necessary?
7. Are treatments, medications, and charges fully discussed with you? Are alternatives ever suggested?
8. Is your doctor accessible? Are your requests for callbacks, prescriptions, release of records, etc. handled in a timely manner?
9. Is the staff courteous and professional?
10. Would you refer your friends to your doctor?

Looking for a New Doctor

If you answered “No” to at least 5 of the questions above, it may be time for a new doctor.

• Ask people you know for referrals.
• Call several doctors’ offices, stating that you are looking for a new doctor.
• Ask about wait times, length of visits, basic charges. Are these simple questions answered courteously? Are the answers reasonable? If not, keep looking.