by george chavez

Created on: September 11, 2007   Last Updated: May 22, 2010

Tips for choosing a doctor range from the clinical to the mundane. The first tip is to speak with some of his or her patients. Ask various questions about demeanor, bedside manner, professionalism, and most importantly, caring. It isn't bad etiquette to ask these questions about a doctor. The more information you can find out, the better your care may be, as it may concern some of the most important decisions of your life.

Make sure you have a good primary physician who can refer you to a good specialist if you need one. The rapport you have with your primary physician is as important as having the best surgeon operate on you. The primary physician takes your history and physical, orders tests and medications, and in essence compiles your body and life as a whole and presents it to the specialist who may be seeing you for the first time.

Talk to the primary physicians nurses. Ask them questions. Be sure to ask in a professional and not a personal manner. All nurses are trained to be the patients' advocate. They are usually fairly candid about doctor choices.

Prepare a list of written questions that you want answered. Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of visits, the doctor will ask you if you have any questions and your mind goes blank. Making a list of questions to refer to will help out tremendously and most doctors don't mind this at all. In fact, too many questions are not asked. When making out this list, be sure to keep it focused and avoid frivolous questions.

Access the Internet. The more you know about your doctor's history the better. Does he or she move around and change jobs quite a bit, etc.? See what he or she studied and specialized in. Where did he or she go to school? Is he or she board certified? And always, always get a second opinion. When you are making a crucial decision don't do it alone. Ask the professionals who are in the field.

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