Choosing the Right Doctor

Finding the Right Doctor

Maybe you have a healthcare network requiring you to choose a new physician, or for some reason you’re unhappy with the level of care you’re receiving from your current provider. Maybe you’re new to the area, and part of the process of settling in is finding a doctor you can trust. Whatever the reason may be, finding a reliable physician to treat your general health problems is an important concern. The National Institute of Health (NIH) advises that, when looking for a new doctor, patients should familiar themselves with the 4 basic types of primary care doctors that are available, as well as the types of service they provide:

• General practitioners: Treat people of all ages for a wide variety of problems
• Family practitioners: Similar to a general practitioner, but with extra training to treat all members of a family, both adults and children
• Internists: These doctors treat adults, and often receive additional training enabling them to specialize in a certain field of medicine, such as cardiology
• Geriatricians: These doctors receive special training in treating older adults and the issues that come with aging

Of course, ensuring a doctor is part of your health care network is a major factor when choosing a doctor. While finding a physician who accepts your insurance may narrow the field somewhat, there are plenty of other factors in determining which doctor is right for you.

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Getting the Care and Service You Need

It can be easy to forget that doctors are service providers. We pay for those services, and as consumers, we have the right to shop around for the best provider available. To ensure you get the best medical provider for your particular needs, Consumer Reports recommends the following tips for finding the right doctor for you:

• Check hospital affiliations
• Make sure they are board certified
• Check for malpractice claims or disciplinary actions
• Find out about office policies and procedures
• Look for friendly and efficient staff

In addition to the above, it can be helpful to ask friends and neighbors for information on their doctors or even a referral. Of course, trust your gut. If you visit a doctor and don’t get a good feeling about it, keep looking until you find a physician that you do feel comfortable with.

Contact Our Experienced Medical Malpractice Attorneys

If you’ve experienced problems with a medical provider or hospital staff, contact our experienced South Carolina medical malpractice attorneys. We will assess your case and help you determine if you can get compensation. The injuries suffered as the result of medical errors and misdiagnosis can be severe, and the damages can last a lifetime. Call us today and get the compensation you deserve.