Finding a new doctor -- how do you do it?

[dparm]

I need to find a podiatrist, preferably downtown so I don't have to waste time and money driving to some suburb on a weekend or at night (inconvenient). I visited one long ago in the burbs but I didn't care for him much: too pushy with trying to sell me orthotics, too off-topic during visits, and just not confidence-inspiring.

I can't put it off anymore -- I need to visit a podiatrist. But now I am faced with the arduous task of searching through my insurance provider's list of "in network" docs.

How do you all go about finding a good doctor? Podiatrist is rather specialized so I can't expect much by just asking around (like you might with a GP).

 

[tommygunn]

Around here, they advertise 1-800-DOCTORS a lot....but I think that is primarily a "paid" listing (by the doctors themselves....) - i.e.: the doctor' pays to be listed there....

I'd work from your "in network" list, and then do Google searches using their names and/or office location(s) in an attempt to find "reviews" about said doctor(s).....and take it from there.....

All else, go to the first one on the list; or whatever one happens to be most convenient, if you don't like the office or dr. at that visit, don't come back

 

[The_Jeff]

I just found a great GP by not asking anyone and opening the yellow pages... has connections to one of the big hospitals in town, making records keeping easier.

Last two docs were off putting, but this guy was just cool and human with his conversation, and knew my unasked questions or my motives for asking the ones I did.

I would just throw a dart and pick a random guy!

My wife found her new OBGYN when he was on call for my son's delivery. It could have been any one of six doctors, and was better than the guy she had before. I thought he was Froot Loops but he doesn't have to impress me!

 

[Cogito]

Originally Posted By: tommygunn
Around here, they advertise 1-800-DOCTORS a lot....but I think that is primarily a "paid" listing (by the doctors themselves....) - i.e.: the doctor' pays to be listed there....

I once called 1800DENTIST to see who they would recommend. When I asked them if the guy had any malpractice suits against him, they said they didn't track that kind of data. So I figured the dentists must be punching their meal ticket. Kind of like putting Dracula in charge of the blood bank.

 

[expat]

How about Rate MDs.com

 

[MNgopher]

Either get a reference from someone you know or a family doctor you trust. After that, throw a dart at the listings in network. I did that with my current dentist and it worked out very well - ended up with a good one!

 

[dwendt44]

Ask around. Especially older adults. They often use podiatrists.
Failing that, find one that been around for a while.

A referral from an older trusted general practitioner is a good idea.

 

[Pop_Rivit]

I can't speak specifically for a podiatrist since I don't have any foot issues, but when my General Practitioner of 30 years retired I went to one of the clinics with multiple doctors in a larger town. The appointment for my annual physical was 20 minutes late, the doctor rushed in, after asking me a couple quick questions and a couple personal questions (where do you live?) he proceeded to talk the rest of the time about his own housing search. The actual physical lasted all of about 15 minutes.

That was the first and last time I visited him.

For my next annual physical I Googled "local doctor reviews" and found a nearby GP who had rave reviews. I took the chance and wasn't disappointed-I had the most complete comprehensive physical that I've ever had-he spent more than an hour checking me over. He was every bit as outstanding as the reviews suggested.

He's young enough so that I'll be long gone before he retires.

 

[dwendt44]

As for General Practitioners, I've gone through four of them.
Each retired in turn. I chose a foreign doctor. I've yet to be disappointed. First was a Filipino, the next was from India (retired due to his own health issues), A Chinese (an Internist with a general practice), and the current, another Filipino.

They've had to learn medicine twice and most are darn good by the time they have their own practice. And they listen to you.