How to Find a Good Doctor, According to Doctors

Doctors, dentists, and nurses follow these rules when deciding who will take care of their health.


Ask hospital employees

“Their word trumps an Ivy League degree, prestigious titles, and charm.”—Marty Makary, MD, author of Unaccountable: What Hospitals Won’t Tell You and How Transparency Can Revolutionize Health Care

Choose a doctor who instructs others

“I’d look for a doctor who is certified to train other doctors. They are called ‘fellowship directors.’”—A plastic surgeon

When it’s serious, go to a teaching hospital

“You’ll get doctors involved with the latest in medicine. Even for simple cases, if there’s a complication that requires an assist device or a heart transplant, some hospitals may not be able to do it. At a university hospital, you also have the advantage of having a resident or physician bedside 24-7, with a surgeon on call always available.”—Tomas A. Salerno, MD, chief of cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

Don’t assume your primary care physician knows best

“Referrals may be politically motivated or be given because the doctors work within the same multi-specialty group.”—Howard Luks, MD, chief of sports medicine and arthroscopy at Westchester Medical Center and University Orthopaedics

Listen for subtle word clues

“We’re not going to tell you your doctor is incompetent, but if I say, ‘You have the right to a second opinion,’ that can be code for ‘I don’t like your doctor’ or ‘I don’t trust your doctor.’”—Linda Bell, RN, clinical practice specialist at the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses in Aliso Viejo, California

It sounds trivial, but don’t overlook their magazines

“When choosing a dentist, check if the magazines in the waiting room are current. That shows attention to detail.”—Michael Alkon, DMD

 

Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp
Pinterest
Reddit
LinkedIn
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

READ NEXT

10 Ways to Ease Your Back Pain

Lower back pain, also called lumbago, is not a disorder. It’s a symptom of several types of medical problems. It usually results from a problem with one or more parts

7 Superfoods That Keep You Hydrated All Day Long

Cucumber Water content: 96.7% This summer veggie—which has the highest water content of any solid food—is perfect in salads, or sliced up and served with some hummus, says Keri Gans,

6 Foods to Eat When You Have Type 2 Diabetes

This disease develops when your body becomes resistant to insulin or when the pancreas stops producing enough insulin. There are many contributing factors such as genetics, weight, inactivity or environmental

9 Things You Should NEVER Mix With Alcohol

If you read the fine print on many FDA-approved over-the-counter substances, you’ll be familiar with a certain common warning: “Do not take with alcohol.” But you’re not alone if you

5 Ways Smoking Can Impact Your Skin

Smoking causes harm to your heart and your lungs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, smokers are more likely than non-smokers to develop heart disease, stroke, and

5 Healthy Snacks to Reach Your Weight Loss Goals

There a lot of different diets out there for various reasons. These reasons are tied to health, values, and morality. No matter your dietary preferences, snacking with mindfulness and awareness

6 Reasons You Have Bad Breath 

You shouldn’t ignore bad breath. What you eat and drink can cause halitosis. Foods are absorbed into your bloodstream and move to the lungs, affecting the air your exhale. Brushing

Here’s What Happens When You Give Up Dairy

Many people have in mind to give up dairy products from their diets, because they feel better without consuming them. But some experts say that quitting dairy is not something

Scroll to Top