This document provides guidance on finding the right doctor by asking a series of questions. It suggests considering whether to see a primary care doctor for commitment and preventative care, or a specialist, nurse practitioner or physician's assistant for specific issues. It also explores the differences between MDs, DOs and NPs, the importance of recommendations and compatibility, checking insurance coverage, and the need to feel comfortable asking questions of potential doctors. The overall message is to find a provider that fits individual health needs, lifestyle and personality through an informed selection process.

1. MEET YOUR MATCH
Find the right doctor for you.

2. IT’S A
BIG STEP
You’re choosing the
person to trust with
your health.

3. LIFE HAPPENS
Have you…
Moved
Changed insurance
Had the same doctor since you were a kid

4. Building a
new doctor-
patient
relationship takes…
TIME +
LOYALTY

5. Find your perfect match by asking
yourself some questions…
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

6. Are you
ready for
commitment?
QUESTION #1

7. YES!
Look for a
PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR
They’re great for…
• Preventive care
• Sickness
• Chronic condition management
Are you ready for commitment?

8. Primary care doctors are
an awesome resource.
They get to know you and your health
and can recognize patterns
that might otherwise be missed.
Are you ready for commitment?

9. Sometimes they can serve as your primary care doctor…
• Some women use their gynecologist for primary care
• Diabetics need to have an endocrinologist on speed dial
SEE A SPECIALIST
ON THE REGULAR?

10. • Family Practitioners or General Practitioners treat patients
of all ages, from babies to the elderly.
• Internists, or Internal Medicine doctors, only treat adults and
focus on preventive care and disease management.
• Geriatricians treat older people and the elderly.
• Pediatricians treat kids, usually up to age 18.
Are you ready for commitment?
FOLLOW-UP QUESTION:
What kind of primary care
doctor should you check out?

11. Are you
ready for
commitment?
QUESTION #1 (continued)

12. Are you ready for commitment?
NOPE!
It’s worth finding a primary care doctor
anyway, especially if your insurance
requires you to get a referral before
seeing a specialist.
Insurance not a problem? You have
low-commitment options:
•Specialists
•Nurse practitioners
•Physician assistants

13. Are you ready for commitment?
Specialists have a narrow focus
but a lot of know-how in their field.
Usually, you’ll only need to see a specialist to get a
diagnosis or a specific treatment plan.
Consider a specialist if you have a specific concern,
like a cardiologist for heart issues or a neurologist for headaches.

14. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants can
help with a lot of wellness and preventive care, or
with common illnesses.
Many practices have N.P.’s and P.A.’s on staff, and it’s
usually easier to get on their schedules than the doctor’s.
Are you ready for commitment?

15. Do you want a D.O.,
or maybe an M.D.?
How about an N.P.?
QUESTION #2

16. Both doctors of medicine (M.D.) and doctors of osteopathy
(D.O.) are fully trained and licensed physicians, with very similar
education and certification.
D.O.’s may take a more holistic approach and focus on helping the body
heal itself, rather than healing the body with drugs or procedures.
Nurse practitioners (N.P.) are also licensed clinical
practitioners who can diagnose and treat conditions, prescribe
medications, and manage patient wellness.
Do you want a DO, an MD, or an NP?

17. A doctor of medicine (M.D.) is
trained in a conventional, or
allopathic, medical school.
Allopathic medicine treats
symptoms and diseases with
medications, radiation, or
surgery, and is what people
usually mean when they say
“Western medicine.”
M.D.
FOR
ME!
Do you want a DO, an MD, or an NP?

18. A doctor of osteopathy (D.O.)
trains at an osteopathic medical
school emphasizing a whole-
person approach to caring for
patients. They are specially
trained in the musculoskeletal
system and use often use
manual medicine techniques
(like therapeutic massage or
spinal manipulation) as well as
traditional medicine.
Do you want a DO, an MD, or an NP?
I’LL
GO
D.O.!

19. Nurse practitioners tend to emphasize
disease prevention and health
management as well as treating
symptoms. All N.P.’s can diagnose, treat,
and prescribe medicine, but the state
you live in determines whether they
need a doctor’s supervision to do so.
Many states allow N.P.’s to practice
independently. Not sure if your state is
one of them? Check this handy map!
Do you want a DO, an MD, or an NP?
I’LL
SEE
AN
N.P.!

20. QUESTION #3:
Do you know somebody
who knows somebody?

21. YES! Recommendations are great, but be sure
to ask follow-up questions.
Ask questions to find out more about the
doctor’s personality – and if it will mesh
with yours. Then arrange to meet the top
candidates, to see if your personalities
really match in person!
Do you know somebody who knows somebody?

22. Do you know somebody who knows somebody?
You’re not out of luck! It’s good
advice for everyone to arrange a call
or a brief visit with a prospective
doctor. When it comes to gauging
personality, there’s just nothing
better than sitting down and talking
to a doctor face to face.
Need help narrowing down the field?
Learn about researching provider
quality here.
NOPE,
I’M A
BLANK
SLATE!

23. If you call to set up a meet and greet with your doctor,
you get to audition their office staff, too.
Remember, you have to deal with the front desk and
nurses every doctor visit, so make sure you like the
staff as well as the doctor.
Do you know somebody who knows somebody?
BONUS POINTS:

24. QUESTION #4
Does your insurance limit
your provider network?

25. Does your insurance limit your provider network?
Don’t worry, odds are good that
your insurance won’t keep around
any doctor who gets a lot of patient
complaints. In fact, give your
insurance a call and see if they have
any information on a prospective
doctor – they may have information
or patient feedback that they can’t
release publicly, but might be able to
tell members.
YES.

26. Does your insurance limit your provider network?
You don’t have a network to
narrow down your choices, but
that just means you can choose
whichever doctor is really the
best fit for you. Even better, you
can shop around to get the best
local price on wellness visits or
whatever procedure you need!
If you find a doctor you love
AND get a great deal, that’s
double the win!
NOPE,
I’M A FREE
AGENT!

27. LAST QUESTION!
Are you shy about asking
your doctor questions?

28. Good for you! You should be an active,
involved part of your own health. Here
are a couple of questions to ask if you’re
talking to a prospective new doctor:
• How much experience do you have with
patients like me?
• (For Specialists) How many of your patients
are able to regain a normal quality of life?
• How do you coordinate care with any other
doctors or providers I might need to see?
• If I have ideas or suggestions about my care,
are you open to that?
• Do you tend to run on schedule?
NOPE!
Are you shy about asking questions?

29. Are you shy about asking questions?
Get over it!
This is your health we’re
talking about.
See previous slide.
YES!

30. Hopefully this will give you a good starting point
on the quest to find your perfectly matched doctor.
Here’s wishing you
good health and good hunting!