How to Find a New Doctor

Looking for a new doctor can be a complicated and admittedly frustrating process. Finding the right combination of experience and services you need combined with the insurance acceptance you need and the patient relationship skills you want isn't always easy.

1. Ask for recommendations
When looking for a new doctor you can start with personal recommendations or a list of providers who accept your insurance of choice. While the list from your insurance company might seem to be the best place to start, this can be frustrating. Doctors change what insurances they accept all the time, and sometimes limit the number of patients they will see from a particular plan.

Just because a doctor is listed in your insurance company's booklet, doesn't mean they're available. So, while personal recommendations may also pose problems with insurance acceptance and new patient intake, at least you know someone has decided a particular practitioner is worth your effort to research.

2. Research online
If you don't have friends or family who might offer you personal doctor recommendations there are many Web sites that compile reviews of health-care practitioners from patients, allowing you to see the personal recommendations of strangers. Examples include SuggestADoctor.com, more local sites such as ZocDoc.com and city review networks such as Yelp.com.

3. Ask questions
Once you've found a doctor you're potentially interested in, it's time to get in touch and ask questions. Don't forget to take into account the promptness of email or telephone response and the courtesy of any staff you deal with in the process. One of the biggest complaints about doctors doesn't have to do with the care they provide, but with the customer service they offer.

• Office policies: Once you reach an office manager, be sure to ask about insurance accepted and availability of new patient in-take appointments first. There's no point in deciding that a doctor is a good fit for you if they don't have room to take you on as a new patient. Once you're sure these logistics meet your needs, it's time to address disability issues.
• Accessible office: Ask if the waiting room, patient areas and bathroom all meet your accessibility needs, and don't hesitate to ask for details. Accessible at one doctor's office may mean it's possible but awkward to get a wheelchair through the door, while at another, it may mean that there's plenty of room for you to maneuver without assistance. They key is finding an office that doesn't just meet the basic standards of accessible, but is designed to be comfortable and welcoming for patients with disabilities.
• Experience: Next, ask if both the doctor and staff have experience working with patients with disabilities, even if the disability you're living with isn't related to the reason for seeking out this particular doctor. Medical staff that are comfortable working with people with disabilities will make your doctor's visit more comfortable whether you're seeing a doctor, dentist or specialist.
• Cancellation policy: Be sure to inquire about the office's policies on lateness and cancellations, particularly if your disability requires you to make special transportation arrangements. You don't want to be financially penalized if your car service or accessible van isn't on time. Similarly, if your potential doctor is affiliated with a hospital, see if there is a transportation service they offer that you can participate in for office visits.

4. Do they have questions about your disability?
Finally, ask if the doctor's office has any questions about the disability you're living with. It may seem counter-intuitive, but sometimes even medical professionals need educating by their patients. Even if the office has no questions for you now, knowing that they should feel comfortable asking about how to better serve your needs as a patient with a disability will go a long way to making your doctor-patient relationship a smoother experience.

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