It is extremely important for seniors to find the right doctor to care for them. I believe that when you reach a certain age, a senior is most likely to see his or her doctor more often than their own children! Also, it is important for the senior and their doctor to establish that connection—and of course, more importantly, trust—before they can work together in fighting diseases and illnesses.
I, for one, swear that finding the right doctor can be tough—even tougher than one may think! I have done it not only for myself but for my parents, children and even grandchildren! Finding the right doctor involves awareness, a little research and a lot of gut feel. In my many doctor-searching years, I already developed a plan which I find useful when the need be, but of course, it’s not at all fool-proof, sometimes I still fell into the hands of wrong ones no matter how careful I was in choosing them. Let me share them with you:
·    Referrals are a great start. This should be your starting point. Call friends and relatives who have personal experiences with these doctors. Try to limit calls to only those who are reliable enough to provide information such as a friend who underwent the same situation. If the potential doctor is to work with your physician, it is best to seek referral from your doctor himself so he will be comfortable working with this other doctor. Get a maximum of 3 doctors in your list for your “screening process”.
·    Do your research. Nowadays, most doctors can be found online, even their clinics, if they have one. Just by using local search engines like Google, you will be able to see their credentials, the work they do, services they offer and most of all, feedbacks and complaints from past clients, if there’s any. In your spare time, join online discussions so you get a better idea of how things work.
·    On your first visit, bring all your necessary docs, lab results, recommendations and whatnot. Don’t be afraid to ask questions as this is the only way you can get to know this new doctor. This is when your gut feel must be on its most effective. By now you must have an idea of what your condition is all about, express your concern directly to the doctor. If he is not interested in making you feel comfortable then it’s time to get up and leave.
·    Consider accessibility. This includes the proximity of the doctor’s location and how “reachable” he is if and when an emergency happens.
·    As much as possible, choose a doctor whose clinic is sort of “one-stop shop” where everything you need is there or at the very least, in close distance with the clinic.