Did you recently move to a new neighborhood or community? Perhaps you just need to change the doctor you’ve been seeing. Whatever your reasons for looking for a new doctor, we understand that it isn’t an easy decision. It’s important to find a doctor that you can trust and talk openly about your health concerns. You also need a professional with whom you can build a long-lasting relationship. Before you begin that endless and directionless search for a doctor, you might want to go through these insightful guidelines that should help you make an informed decision.

Ask for referrals
Trusted sources such as neighbors, friends, family, and co-workers are an excellent place to begin your search for the right doctor. If you’ve been forced to part with your current doctor because they are moving or retiring, you could also ask them for recommendations. Your health insurer could come in handy as they have networks that include doctors. You could ask your insurance company to give you a few top referrals. Make a list of these recommendations and their contact information before moving to the next step.

Confirm the details with your insurance company
Does your current insurance plan accept doctors that work outside your preferred policy’s network? Some insurance plans may restrict you from choosing doctors working outside the network, forcing you to pay out of your pocket. Inquire about these details from your insurer to avoid making mistakes.

Go online
You want to find more information about the prospective doctors featured in your list. Browse through their social media pages and business websites to find out more about the services they offer. Pay attention to the client reviews left behind and gauge the engagement between the doctor and the clients. Positive reviews are a good sign that you will have a good experience with the doctor. Negative reviews are clear red flags signaling you to cross out the doctor’s name. How easy is it to travel to the doctor for an appointment? Once satisfied with the information on the internet, call their offices to learn more about them.

Make an appointment
You’ve probably narrowed down your list to about three or four doctors whom you will want to scrutinize before choosing one of them. Take this initial appointment as the perfect time to ask about pain points and concerns about the doctors and their services. Inquire if the doctor is experienced and licensed. A confident doctor will be proud to show you valid licensing papers and certifications that indicate he or she is a qualified physician. The higher the level of experience, the better.

You could draft a few questions beforehand. They include:

• Are you taking new patients?

• Do you specialize in any form of treatment?

• Are you available in times of emergencies?

• Who will I see if you aren’t available?

Pay attention to how the doctor responds to your questions. Are they satisfactory? If your answer is yes, you’ve probably found the right doctor for your needs.

Ask for clientele references
You might want to make that extra effort to talk to your potential doctor’s clientele references. A reputable doctor will hand in a tidy list of these references for you to confirm the authenticity of the doctor’s services. Approach these references and inquire about their experiences with the doctor in question. You’ll get some priceless and unbiased information to help you make the right decision.

How do you feel about the entire process, especially during the appointment? Perhaps it’s time to follow your instincts and pick the doctor with the best qualifications and qualities you’ve been searching for. While it’s not easy, these tips should help make the process easier.