How the Elderly Can Choose a Good Doctor
With the aging process, it is inevitable that there will be more visits to the doctor's office. How do you know if your doctor is a good and trustworthy one? Better yet, how can you choose the right one that fits your needs and health goals?
In their aspiration to help the elderly and the aging, the National Institute of Aging (NIA) has shared some guidelines on how to choose the best doctor.
Types Of Primary Care Doctors
- General practitioners treat a wide range of medical problems in people of all ages.
- Family practitioners are similar to general practitioners, but have extra training to care for all family members, young or old.
- Internists are doctors for adults. Some internists take additional training to become specialists. For example, a cardiologist is an internist who specializes in heart disease.
- Geriatricians care for older adults. A geriatrician is trained in family practice or internal medicine and has additional training in caring for older people.
Asking For Help With Your Search
Once you have a sense of what kind of doctor is best for you, ask people you trust. You might ask questions such as:
- Do you know a good doctor?
- Would you recommend your doctor?
- What do you like about your doctor?
- How long does it take to get an appointment? If you need to, can you usually see your doctor right away-on the same day if you get sick?
Calling the Doctors on Your List
After you pick two or three doctors, call their offices. The office staff can give you information about the doctor's education and training. They can also tell you about office policies, what insurance they take, if they file the insurance claims for you, what types of payment they accept, and the hospitals where the doctor sends patients.
- What type of health insurance does the office take? You want to find out if the doctor accepts Medicare or any other health insurance you have.
- Where is the doctor's office located? Is there parking? You want to make sure that it will be easy for you to get there.
- How long is the usual office visit? You want a doctor who will take time to listen carefully to your concerns, answer your questions, and explain things clearly and fully in a way that you can understand. Good doctor-patient communication is important for developing treatment plans that address your specific health needs.
- Is the doctor part of a group practice? If the doctor is part of a group, you may want to find out who the other doctors are and their specialties.
- Who sees patients if the doctor is out of town or not available? If the doctor is not part of a group practice, you want to make sure that the doctor has a plan when he or she is not there.
- Can I get lab work or x-rays done in the office or nearby? You want to find out if you will need to go to another location for tests or if most lab tests are done in the doctor's office.
- Is the doctor board certified? Board-certified doctors have extra training and pass special exams after medical school to become specialists in a field of medicine such as family practice, internal medicine, or geriatrics.
Source: NIA.gov
