The team at doctors.com.au understands the importance of being able to find a doctor. Good medical care is now as much about preventing illness as it is about treating it – which is why doctors.com.au was created.
We have been speaking to both doctors and patients and have learnt that you are more likely to get better sooner if you choose the right doctor for you.
How do you choose the right doctor?
Finding the right doctor is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. doctors.com.au can help you find the right one.
It is important is that you choose a doctor that you trust and feel comfortable with, you want to be able to feel as though you can work together to improve your health, so take the time to search.
When should you start looking for a doctor?
If you don’t already have a doctor, you need to start looking now.
Don’t start looking for a doctor when you really need one. You want to have an already established relationship with your doctor so that if you do find yourself unwell, your doctor has a history of your health and will be in a better position to treat you.
What should you look for when choosing a doctor?
Everybody is different, it will depend on your individual needs and what type of doctor you are searching for.
The team at doctors.com.au have been asking the question and these are the top three things people look for:
- Experience
- Some questions to ask: How much experience does the doctor have? How many times has he/she performed a procedure? How many patients have they treated? How long have they been practicing for?
- Availability
- Some questions to ask: What are their after hours arrangements? How far are they from my home?
- Professionalism
- Some questions to ask: Where do they treat their patients? What is the state of the clinic? How much do they charge? Is the doctor adaptable to their patients?
doctors.com.au’s ambassador Dr Jasmina Kevric has told doctors.com.au that it is important for patients to be able to trust and feel comfortable with their doctor on a personal level. As the more you have in common the more likely you will trust the doctor. Being comfortable and trusting your doctor could mean many different things for different people but it could mean; speaking the same language, being the same sex, or being at a similar life stage or age. It is important to note that being comfortable with your doctor is different for everyone.
Dr Jasmina Kevric has said ‘a great doctor is someone who can foster a relationship with patients from all walks of life. Overall, it is up to the doctor to ensure that patients are at ease and feel comfortable which ultimately leads to formation of trust.’
For more information about choosing the right doctor visit the government website Better Health Channel.