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Choosing the right doctor can be a daunting experience. We have all met doctors we haven't liked, didn't trust, or wouldn't go back to. So how does one find a doctor that you can trust, do like and want to go back to?

For most people, finding the right doctor begins with finding a primary care physician. This means a family practitioner, internist, or pediatrician.

-Family practitioners have good general knowlege of medicine, treat children and adults, can make most diagnoses and referrals, and are interested in preventing diseases.
-Internists specialize in adult medicine. These doctors study medical problems that involve the lungs, abdomen, circulation, nervous system and others. They may be good choices for people who already have medical problems, such as diabetes or heart disease.
-Pediatricians are trained in the health problems of children and adolescents. They deal with prevention as well as diagnosis and management of common childhood ailments, such as asthma, diabetes, or developmental problems.

Once you decide which category of physician best suits your needs, the next step involves deciding what you would like from your interaction with a physician. Are you a person who likes to know everything about your medical problem, is likely to research your diagnosis on line before seeing the doctor, and wants to make your own choices about treatment? A doctor who is skilled at communicating with patients, who is current on the latest research in an area (or is interested in learning more about it) and who takes the time to discuss your symptoms and care plan, would be best.

Or would you rather defer to the expertise of the doctor? You want the doctor to know everything about the problems, and don't feel it needs to be your job, too. A more traditional physician may be the best choice for you.

Do you have difficulty paying for your medical care? A community health center or clinic, which provides comprehensive care for a wide variety of patients regardless of ability to pay, may be your best choice. If you have insurance, your insurance company's list of physicians and specialties will be your first source of physician names.

In most of these settings you have the option of meeting with the physician for a "getting to know you" appointment. There, you can ask about their field of interest, what they know about your diagnoses, how their office functions, and what kind of referral patterns and relationships they have. You will also get a sense of the ways this physician communicates. Are they open to answering your questions? Or do they seem rushed and inattentive? Do they have many patients who share your medical problems, or are you one of the few they have seen? Do they know where to make referrals when appropriate? Are they familiar with the medications you are taking? How long are the appointments and how long does it take to get one?

On line doctors are also available as a source of additional information about medical problems. While they may not be an ideal substitute for actual face to face care, they can assist with answering questions or providing information to specific questions. There are also publications that provide names of "best doctors" in their various fields. A listing is a suggestion, but not a certainty, that a given physician has had a good track record as far as liability claims and competent practice. Nevertheless, meeting the physician is often the best way to figure out which physician is the best doctor for you.

Learn more about this author, Harriet Squier.
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