How to Find a Good Doctor

Being diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer at the age of 23 years old, made me realize the importance of finding a good doctor. It took me a year to find a doctor to take my symptoms and complaints seriously. I knew something was wrong with me, I just couldn't seem to find a doctor to agree. If I hadn't been persistent in my search for a doctor to listen to me, then I probably wouldn't be alive today.

What makes a good doctor? A good doctor sets aside time for each patient. It is frustrating and disheartening when your doctor fails to spend any time with you at all. You sit in the waiting room for forty five minutes, only to have your doctor give you a whopping 3 minutes of his time. You might feel that you didn't receive adequate care. Guess what? You didn't. A lot of doctors' offices schedule too many patients in a day, leaving them unable to give each patient quality time and care. If a doctor does not have the time to spend with you, then you need to find a new doctor.

Another important aspect to look for, is a doctor that listens to you. You know your body better than anyone else and chances are you know when something is wrong with you. If your doctor does not listen to your symptoms and complaints, then you are not going to get good care. If your doctor quickly discounts your complaints, you don't have a good doctor. Remember, it took me a year to find a doctor to diagnose my cancer. In that year of searching for an answer to my symptoms, I encountered many doctors who discounted what I told them.

Find a doctor that knows what they are doing. This may seem like a given. You would think that since they are a doctor that they know what they are talking about. Doctors are smart, right? Well, an unfortunate reality is that not all doctors know what they are doing. Your doctor may simply not be good at what they do. Some musicians are bad. Some painters are bad. And some doctors are bad. Just because they passed medical school does not make them good at what they do. The process of diagnosing patients is not always clear cut. Doctors need to be able to think out of the box. They have to posses good reasoning and deduction skills. Some do not.

How do I find a good doctor? Asking a doctor you trust to refer you to a good doctor can be one way. Asking friends and family can be another. But this is not guarantee that the doctor they refer you to will be a good one. The key to finding a good doctor is persistence. Don't be afraid to get a second, a third or even a one-hundredth opinion. I went to over twenty doctors before one finally found that I had cancer.

Find a doctor that specialiizes in the area of care that you need. A general doctor will not be able to diagnose and treat neck pain as well as an orthopedic surgeon.

Find a doctor that is active in current medical breakthroughs. New treatments are being discovered every day. If a doctor does not keep active on these new treatments, then they are not enabling themselves to be the best possible doctor. Doctors that spend time in research hospitals are usually up to date on new treatments. Look a doctor up on the internet. You would be surprised at how much information you can find about your doctor if you do a quick google search on them

Write a list of your symptoms and questions. It is to easy to forget everything that you want to discuss with your doctor when you are at your appointment. Your doctor can't effectively help you if you don't remember to tell them all of your symptoms. Don't be afraid to ask questions. It is important that you understand the diagnosis and treatments that your doctor gives you. Doctors often use medical terms that their patients don't understand. If you don't understand what your doctor is saying, then tell them so. Communicating effectively with your doctor will help both of you. Your doctor gets all of the information they need to properly diagnose and treat you and you understand what that diagnosis and treatment is. When you take part in and understand your medical care, you will feel more comfortable with your doctor.

Good medical care is something that every person deserves. Be persistent in finding a good doctor. Once you find a good doctor, you have won half of the battle. The other half falls in your hands. Take an active part in your care. Tell your doctor all of your symptoms, even if they seem insignificant to you. Sometimes those little symptoms that we think are no big deal, are the very symptoms that tip your doctor off to what is wrong with you. And finally, don't be afraid to ask questions.

Finding a good doctor can be hard work, but it is well worth it. Your health depends on it.