<p>I’m at the time where I need to switch from a pediatrician to an adult doctor. I have a list of doctors in my area who are accepting new patients, so how do I go about picking one? </p>
<p>I would ask my friends, but most of my friends don’t like their doctors or don’t see doctors who I would like (such as ones into “alternative medicine”). I’ve only been working at my office for a short time, so I wouldn’t feel comfortable asking coworkers. My mother’s not crazy about her doctor, but he’s not accepting new patients anyway. Where else can I get recommendations? </p>
<p>Also, these doctors who are accepting new patients, does that mean they’re not as good as other doctors? I realize they could be young or new to the area, but since the vast majority of practices in my area are completely full, it does make me wonder. </p>
<p>I need to choose pretty quickly. I’m having my wisdom teeth out later this summer, but before then I need to get a referral for a specialist and have a workup done (of course, the specialists I’ve seen in the past are at Boston Children’s, so I need to find an adult version of that doctor as well!). I also want to see about getting the HPV vaccine shots started while I’m home for the summer. </p>
<p>I’m sure you’ve all had to do this when choosing a pediatrician for your kid or a new doctor for yourself, so what would you suggest?</p>
<p>I have been on my HMO’s website today searching for my 18 year old. She wants a woman, so what I did was make a list of those taking new patients and will then ask her pediatrician who he recommends. He has know where his aging out patients are going and so I thought I would start with him for rrecommendations. I am also going to ask my PCP.</p>
<p>First of all, check with your medical insurer. You may have better coverage with some doctors than with others and may have none at all in some cases. Make sure that they also have admitting privileges to a hospital that is covered under your plan.</p>
<p>Doctors who are not accepting new patients will often accept the children or siblings of someone whom they are already seeing. If there is another family member who actually likes their doctor, this is worth asking about.</p>
<p>If you liked your former pediatrician, ask them for recommendations and a reference. Doctors who are not accepting new patients will sometimes accept someone who was referred to them by a colleague.</p>
<p>“If you liked your former pediatrician, ask them for recommendations and a reference”</p>
<p>Yes, a good place to start. They have an idea of your personality and might know of a good fit. Alot of hospitals now have bios online to check. As another said, check and see if you belong to a network and examine those mds too. Googling never hurts either. Just remember you can switch in most cases if it’s not a good match.</p>
<p>Thanks for your responses. I talked to my mother tonight, and she says that my doctor recommended a group of physicians (when talking about doctors for my sister, who also needs one), and it turns out several of the doctors on the list I have belong to that practice, so I’m going to give them a call. They’re nearby and have privilages at our preferred hospital, so I’m going to check with them about coverage and availability. Thanks!</p>