How do I choose a physician or healthcare practitioner/provider?

This is one of the most important questions I get asked.  First of all, nothing we have is more important that our health and the health of our loved ones.  That being said, here is my recommendation list for your thought:

• Personal referral is the best source for finding a healthcare provider of any kind. 
  The chance to hear about someone else’s experience with a provider is priceless in
  terms of time savings and stress.

• Always review the credentials of any healthcare provider you choose. To me,
  the schools that one attends are important, but not nearly as important as how the healthcare provider uses that knowledge and information in a practice.

• What kind of affiliations does the provider keep?  Continuing education and work with healthcare affiliations/organizations is critical in keeping up with the world today.

• What kind of an office setting is offered?  Is the staff informed and personable or do you get stuck in an endless loop of telephone options and no real person to ever chat with?

• How long will you wait for your first appointment and how long will you wait in the waiting room?  All offices get behind on occasio, but how long is the normal wait? 

• How available is the practitioner once you become a patient or client?  Is there a support staff if the practitioner is not available? 

• Is there such a thing as an “emergency” to this practitioner? What protocols are recommended in an emergency?

• Will this practitioner be willing to consult with others in your healthcare team? Or will it be a fight to the finish with alternative medicine and nutrition being ignored in favor of the latest pharmaceutical drugs?

• Will you be limited to five minutes with the practitioner or will there be time to ask questions you have prepared in advance (within reason)?

• Always make sure you understand the payment policies. Ask about insurance and the
  way it will be handled.  Always feel comfortable about payment so no misunderstandings arise to take away from an otherwise great experience.

Many of these questions can be asked of the staff even before making an appointment.  I truly believe we live in a wonderful time when allopathic medicine can be combined with alternative medicine and nutrition in a productive and safe way.  It is our responsibility to seek the right team players and make use of all the tools available.  Tools are wonderful resources and I include in the tool category things like blood work, thermography, stool and saliva testing, urine testing, hair analysis, MRI, and x-ray.  If there is a tool available that could help you find answers about your health, consider using that tool.  Tools help to eliminate fears, apprehensions, and unknowns which can all slow the healing process of the body.

Lastly, when you have all your information and tests completed, carefully make your choice for action. After all, it is your body and you should feel comfortable to discuss your findings with your healthcare team and make an appropriate choice for health recovery and maintenance!  Choose wisely and be blessed!

— Joan    © 2009  Joan Goodman

Joan Goodman, CTN, MH
1950 Eldridge Parkway, Suite #5101
Houston, TX  77077

281-493-9473 

All articles are copyrighted by Joan Goodman. They may only be reprinted with her express permission.

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