Choosing the right physician
takes care

W By Sr. Susan Scholl, F.S.M. President SSM St. Mary’s Health Center

One of the most important decisions that a patient will make is which family practitioner, general internist or pediatrician will be his or her primary care physician. Once you’ve determined the type of doctor that’s right for you, I’d recommend that you ask friends, relatives and co-workers for personal recommendations. Ask them what doctors they see and whether they are satisfied with the quality of care they receive.

You also want to consider other factors, like what hospital(s) is the doctor affiliated with, is the physician board certified, what is the reputation of the medical school and residency programs he or she completed, how many years of experience does he or she have and has he or she been recognized by peers. Additionally, are there specific needs that you have? For example, if you see other specialists on a routine basis, the physician will need to coordinate your care with them.

Probably second only to training is a physician’s bedside manner. This is what differentiates an average physician from a superior one. As a patient, this is one quality that you should be able to recognize almost immediately. Keep in mind that you will have to trust this physician with your life, so a strong patient-physician relationship is essential. When asking for personal recommendations, be sure to ask about bedside manner: Does the physician take the time to listen, is he or she willing to answer questions, is he or she accepting new patients and does he or she accept your insurance plan or Medicare.