Question: I'd like to be able to learn more about the different doctors that are practicing in my area. I'd like their background information and it'd be nice if there was a way for former patients to rate them. That way I can get a doctor that is right for me.
From: Amy G. of Allendale, MI

Answer: This is an issue that I have addressed in recent presentations as well as in my book, 7 Steps to Your Best Possible Healthcare. When purchasing a new car, we will go to several auto dealers and check safety and price reports on the car we are interested in buying. We take the care for a test drive to make sure we like the way it runs and that we feel comfortable in it. And, yet, we often rely on family or friends to suggest a new physician. Good health is precious good healthcare is essential. A family or friend’s recommendation should be one part of our study. Your local medical association provides names and information of physicians in your area and local hospitals often list physician providers affiliated with the hospital. A rating agency, http://www.healthgrades.com, provides ratings based on outcomes. New legislation also requires that providers survey Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. Most health insurers are doing the same. Patients with health insurance may soon see surveys asking how they feel about their healthcare and their providers. Medicare will publish results to help improve the healthcare system, give patients information so they can choose their provider, and to measure the quality of care the patients received. Medicare will begin to reimburse providers, in part, based on the quality of care they provide. And just as you would test drive a car, try to meet with the doctor and talk with the office staff and observe office operations. But you will need to prepare ahead for this. Find out what is important to you and what you expect from the physician and staff and then organize your questions. I provide many helpful examples of questions and observations in my book.

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