Find out about office hours and if extended or weekend hours are possible. If flexibility in hours is important to you, ask about the possibility of after hours appointments. If you have children, remember that children often become ill when most doctors are unavailable during evenings and weekends. Ask if a child could be seen during those times or what the normal procedure would be.
Network with relatives and friends. Learn their opinions on various providers. Ask before you make a choice to avoid hearing ugly stories later. Since most physicians work in tandem with other doctors who will cover their calls during off-hours (weekends, vacations, emergencies), be sure to ask who the physician uses for back-up or shares calls with. If it proves to be someone you don’t care for, consider making another choice.
Learn if your beliefs are compatible with the doctors, if it may matter. As an example, someone who feels strongly against abortion may not feel comfortable being treated by a pro-abortion physician. Before you make a choice is the time to find out if beliefs conflict in a way that could impact treatment and care.
Find out if the practitioner is accepting new patients. Some busy physicians have more than enough patients and can’t accept any additional ones.
Although it may sound strange, once you have narrowed the field of choices, make appointments with the finalists. Visit with each one and see if he or she feels like a fit. If the provider objects or thinks this is unnecessary, that might be the one you want to avoid. Most providers will understand how important a good rapport can be toward a doctor/patient relationship.
Once you have chosen a primary care provider, give yourself time to settle into the relationship. Within a short time, you should feel comfortable with the provider and that you are in capable hands. If not, it may be time to start anew. Patients who find themselves in less than perfect situations should consider a change. Don’t sell your health care short because you feel a sense of loyalty toward a physician. If you or your family members are not receiving the kind of health care you desire, explain that to the provider. Working together you may be able to solve any bumps in the road.