Whether it’s just you in your family or you have children, choosing a doctor is no small task.  Putting your trust in someone with your well-being is a big commitment.  The last thing you want is to find yourself relying on a doctor who can’t do their job properly.  If you have children, you should be even more careful about making the right choice.

When getting ready to start your search, make sure that you look for the following things.

Experience

Although everyone has to start somewhere, it’s ideal to find someone who has a lot of experience under their belt.  Knowing how to make the right call and diagnose with thoughtfulness and consideration for every possible symptom is essential.

A good doctor with a lot of experience knows not to jump straight to conclusions but to take their time looking at all possibilities. Their wide range of history working with a vast amount of cases will ensure that you have the best care possible.

Don’t be afraid to ask how long they’ve been practicing and whether they have experience working with all of the ages in your family.  That way you know all of you are in good hands.

A Good Listener

One of the worst feelings, when you’re at a doctors appointment, is feeling like you’re being rushed or not listened to.  You want a doctor who will take the time to hear you out even if they already know what you’re going to say.

Not only should they not speak over you during your appointment, but their body language should also be attentive.  They shouldn’t be distracted by technology or writing things down the entire time.  It feels good to know someone is looking you straight in the eyes and hearing what you have to say and informing you of what their take on it is.

Proximity

Although it may not seem that critical initially, proximity to your doctor is essential, especially when you have kids.  There’s nothing worse than having to sit through traffic with a sick child who is miserable in the car.

It’s ideal to have your doctor within 5 miles of the house so that making an appointment isn’t a big task.

They Accept Your Insurance

Always make sure to ask if they accept your insurance ahead of time.  There’s nothing quite as frustrating as getting to the desk at the end of your appointment only to find that they don’t accept your insurance policy and you have to pay out of pocket.

You may want to ask your insurance company for a list of doctors in your area that they work with to begin your search.