How to find the right doctor

Finding the right doctor is one of the most important things you’ll ever do in your life. Interactions with your chosen doctor will often be professional, and to some extent personal. You must trust them with your life. You’ll therefore want to be absolutely happy with them, and getting the right match should be top priority.

It’s best not to wait until an emergency crops up, leaving you at the mercy of the first doctor who comes your way by default.

Though it seems odd, searching for a doctor when you don’t really need to see one may be the most objective way. Time will be on your side, and you can make unrushed decisions. Random choices may leave you disappointed, often necessitating frequent doctor changes in the search for a more suitable one.Decide upfront whether you want to see a generalist or a specialist. Generalists tend to be family doctors, specialized in routine problems that often require simple remedies. They also coordinate specialized care and referrals when needed. Specialists are skilled on specific aspects of health, for example cardiology or gynecology. Some specialists may still offer certain aspects of general health though.

You may wish to get a referral from a friend, family members or even from another physician. Next, be sure the selected doctor is easily accessible both by locality and availability of appointment slots. Look up their online profiles and consumer ratings. But beware of biased opinions, both positive and negative, which may sometimes be misleading. If possible, speak to a patient who’s been recently cared for by the chosen doctor. You may end up with invaluable insights. Opting for an initial interview with the doctor prior to any professional consultations is an option as well.

Remember to check credentials. Doctors must have valid registration certificates through the medical board, renewable every year. Such information is publicly available, www.medicalboard.co.ke for Kenya. Doctors with specialist training may also be credentialed by other specialist societies. Don’t be shy to ask your selected doctor about their credentialing, especially if you are looking for a specific specialist. If you need surgery, do your homework pretty well before settling for a surgeon. Find out how many procedures they do annually, their successes and complication rates, including death rates.

Don’t be biased with your potential doctor’s age. Older doctors have a wealth of experience to bank on. But equally, younger doctors are more adept with innovative techniques. What matters is your selected doctor being up to date, and ready to embrace modern medicine.You may feel more comfortable with a female rather than a male doctor, the choice is yours. Check also that you can afford the doctor’s fee, or if your insurance will cover the costs.

Finding the right doctor involves cobbling together information from many sources, including your own experiences and observations. Take your time, and settle for the right choice.