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26
M
Healthy
BCBS PPO High Deductible for insurance.
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I don't really go to a doctor but I figured it's probably not a bad idea. I just switched insurance providers and I don't really know what to do to find a Doc in my area. When I google names that come up they either have bad reviews or none...not sure where to even begin. Do I just go for a check up and hope they are cool?
Sadly, sort of. What i'd do is ask around see if people you know have a good one. Barring that, call your insurance and get a list of providers. It's all a crap shoot (literally if you're seeing a proctologist....)
Ask friends and local family members for a reference. Look them up on Google and read the reviews.
Word of mouth IMO. Ask family, friends, acquaintances. It makes for good discussion. Of course there will be good/ bad/ indifferent opinions for every doc but you'll prolly soon find out who the worst are. I lucked out and been w/ a good doc for over 20 yrs.
Kinda like the definition of porn, you will know him when you see him. A doctor is someone you have to be able to discuss personal issues with in a comfortable manner. Surprisingly I have found that Drs are not as stable as you might think. I have had two Docs who got out of or moved their private practice but most of that is economic. Professionals dont make the money they thought they would be making(ask how I know).
There are good docs out there so dont accept someone who doesnt jive with you.
Kinda like picking a lawyer, no reasonable criteria to judge by,everybody has a bad day. You are young enough,No major health issues? Look for someone middle age, or younger that you are comfortable talking with.Older doctors tend to have a God complex. They do all the talking and never listen. If you have a specific problem make sure the Doctor hears what you are saying and discusses it with you.
After a bad experience seeing a doc who I was kind of friends with, I asked a close cycling friend who's a heart tech to make a reco. So far it's worked out well - she knew all the docs in town and knew who would suit me.
I used the insurance companies (United Health) website. The doctor I picked was close and had two ratings that I was looking for.
I found mine by trial and error. Unfortunately there were a few errors before finding a good one. From what I've learned picking different specialists for the wife the longer the wait they have the better they are. We book the endocrinologist and neurologist 6 months out. Also see what other doctors think of them if you need to see a specialist. None has come out and bashed anyone yet but when her regular doc found out who our first neuro was he made a grotesque cringe like he was having his spleen removed with a spork. Two appointments later I was calling her names and looking for a replacement
A few other random thoughts:
A younger doctor will have more recent training and be more up-to-date on the latest research, whereas an older doctor will have more practical experience. Both are valuable.
An older doctor is closer to retirement age, so you might find someone you like and then have to look for another in 5 years.
Some doctors will take the time to explain everything and answer lots of questions, whereas others simply want to move on to the next patient. If this is important to you, look for one who will.
I've been pretty lucky with doctors Had a couple bad apples. One was a pill pusher another wasn't sufficiently concerned with my wife's heart condition. I like my present one. He talks to me and asks if I have questions.
I've gotten pretty lucky this time ... he's a little younger than I am, he's a long distance exeriszer (like I used to be), he's had and (obviously) recovered from prostrate cancer, he plays bluegrass banjo, ... oh .. did I mention he listens to my problems ? + he's at the VA ... so the costs are very reasonable, and he seems quite competent 
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