When Looking for a New Doctor: Signs of a Good Doctor's Office

When you are looking for a new doctor, be it because of insurance reasons or the old doctor is no longer available for whatever reason, you are probably looking at how good the doctor will be. But, the appearance of the doctor isn't the only consideration you should give when gathering first impressions. It is said that a well organized home is a sign of a good and caring person; well, the sign of a well organized doctors office is a sign of a good and caring doctor as well. Here are five signs to look for at the office when looking for a new doctor.

Cleanliness

When looking for a new doctor, consider the cleanliness of the doctors office a part of the overall care for the patients. When you first walk into the doctors office, did you notice if the office was clean? Were the nurses and the doctor following sanitary practices? While at the office, you would want to see people washing their hands, disinfecting, and cleaning up as they go. Rate how neat and organized the general staff seemed to be.

Sense of Order

Is there a sense of control as you walked in? How comfortable is the waiting room? How about the exam room? Do patient files appear to be cared for? Is there enough space in the exam room for a family member to fit comfortably? A major concern in looking for a new doctor is how they consider patient care and comfort. If the waiting room is cramped, or the exam room lacks chairs for an extra person to sit, this could be a sign of a rushed doctor and staff who may not have the proper time for each patient.

Knowledgeable Staff

When looking for a new doctor, you want to also find a staff that knows what they are doing. When you are at the office, observe the nursing staff. Do the people there seem caring and aware of what they are doing? Does it appear they could give you an actual answer if you asked them? If they couldn't answer, does it appear that they would at least look it up? Do they seem bothered by the phones or questions? Most physician's offices rely on the medical staff to relay information on what is needed when the patient comes in again. If the staff doesn't know, neither does the patient.

Emergencies

If there is an emergency, or medication problem, and you can't wait until next Friday's appointment, can you find your doctor or call the office? This is another issue when looking for a doctor. One of the common problems when getting an office visit as a first time patient with a physician's office, is finding out how busy the office really is. You may be given a spot on the schedule weeks away. A tip here, if the doctor is this busy, would you be sure there is enough time to visit with them? While we are at this subject, is there a cancellation policy? If so, how far in advance must you give notice? Watch the costs here. Some doctors charge a lump fee if you cancel with less than 24 hours notice.

Caring and Compassion

Last item when looking for a good doctor. Did the office staff, nurses and doctor, seem caring? Compassionate? You want to feel comfortable when you are at the office during your visit. During the initial exam, did the physician conduct the initial exam or did his assistant? Did the doctor leave during the exam? Were you a person or a name on the list? Go with your first impressions here.

When looking for a good doctor, finding a good doctor's office is equally as important. It will give you clues as to the personality, and the professionalism of the doctor.