It has rightly been said that good health is the best wealth. Having bad health is a liability no one wants to assume. Thus, who you consult for assistance in your journey of recovery to proper health is crucial to derive the best benefits. Finding a good and reliable doctor is one of the most crucial decisions you will ever make in your life. To make it easier for you, we have compiled a stepwise process following which you can find the best doctor in your location.

Find out what kind of doctor you require. You would be surprised to know that there are various specialists to treat the same medical conditions but who you see is determined by the root cause of the problem. For instance, in case of a headache, you can consult a physician, a neurologist, an optometrist, or an otolaryngologist. But determining who to visit can be a tough decision to make since you would have no idea what is causing the problem. In such a scenario, it is best to consult a primary care physician first who can evaluate your symptoms and then refer you to a specialist for further treatment.

Enlist all the reputed doctors in your location. You can search online to find the names of reputed doctors in your area. Alternatively, you can ask your friends and family members for their references.

Narrow down the choices by filtration. You can narrow down your choices based on various criteria mentioned below. These criteria are determined by your preferences and convenience.

• Location of the clinic
• Gender of the doctor
• Years of practice
• Educational background
• Insurance cover

Do a background check of your choices. You can check out their reviews online where their past patients would have mentioned their good or bad aspects. If they are there on social media, check that out to see if they come across reliable to you. Additionally, you can verify their license online.

Make an appointment. Based on your findings, you should select that one doctor who appears most reliable for you. When you visit their clinic, make a note of a few things to rate your experience- the courteousness of the staff, cleanliness, comfort, privacy, timeliness, and use of the latest equipment.

Keep documents handy and clear your queries. Clearly communicate what issues you are facing to the doctor. Tell them about your medical history, the medicines you are currently taking, any allergic reactions you might have, and your insurance cover up. Also, you must ask all your queries regarding the treatment prescribed by them. Be sure to understand clearly how the medicines are to be taken and for what duration. Ask them when you need to visit them again for the follow-up.

Evaluate. Based on your visit to the doctor, assess the whole experience.

• Was the doctor polite?
• Was he able to explain the procedures clearly?
• Do you find the doctor trustworthy?
• Are you satisfied with the treatment offered?

If you are unsure of the doctor you just visited, you should start looking for another one; by no means should you compromise with your health. If you are satisfied with the doctor’s treatment, you can put a good review of them online for others to read and rely on.