How to Choose a Doctor

A Patient Resource

How to Choose a Doctor:
Questions You Should Ask

A GoDoc Guide — smarter questions, better care

Why This Guide Exists

Most patients pick a doctor based on proximity, insurance, or word of mouth. Whatever the case, here are a few questions you should ask before you begin your process.

1

Credentials

Board certification means passing rigorous exams in a specialty. But certifications expire. Ask specifically: board-certified by whom, and when does it expire? Maintenance of Certification (MOC) is the ongoing standard. Look for it — many doctors post that on their website.
2

What Their Patients Are Saying

An online search (including social media) can help you find some customer reviews, but the most useful info would come from a standardized, survey-based framework such as the GoDoc score.
3

Disciplinary or Legal Problems?

The state licensing board is the best place to look for such details. A quick online search can point you in the right direction.
4

Your Insurance Network

If they're in your network you know they'll accept you if they have space, minus the out-of-network surcharges. Unfortunately, that doesn't answer every question about fit, or quality.
5

Affiliations / Privileges

Association with a highly-rated hospital is a good sign the doctor is above board, and capable of meeting or exceeding standards of care.
6

How Well Their Office Is Run?

Do they send out paperwork ahead of time, instead of waiting till you get to the waiting room? Is the staff responsive when you're trying to book an appointment? Are they courteous? Little details are clues — follow them.

★

You are your own best advocate, and asking the right questions improves the odds of getting the best care. Ask the questions in this guide and follow the evidence where it leads.

GoDoc scores are built on the same principles: clear, standardized, actionable. And if you ever need to compare doctors, the GoDoc score is the best "apples to apples" way to do that.

Compare doctors with standardized GoDoc scores at
doctorsreportcard.com