Selecting a Doctor (cont.)

Medical Author:

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Dr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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The best time to choose a doctor is when you don't need one. Don't wait until you or a loved one is faced with an illness or emergency to begin looking for a doctor. This only adds stress to the decision-making process and increases the chances of making a choice you are unhappy with.

Many people often seek advice from family, friends, or coworkers about the right choice for a doctor. These are certainly good places to start and are often the most reliable and readily available sources. A number of other sources can further broaden your search.

• County, state, or national medical societies: Many may have phone referral or information centers, and many have Internet information sites. One needs to remember that some of them will recommend any doctor who is a member of the society and each society has different qualifications for membership.
• Web-based searches for board certified doctors are available at the American Board of Medical Specialties or by the Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists.
• Various referral agencies can help. It is important to evaluate the role of the referral agency. Are they charging the doctor a fee to be recommended ? Are they a neutral rating agency/web site?
• Many community hospitals have "Find-a-Doctor" referral centers. These doctors usually have privileges to practice at the referring hospitals.
• Your insurance plan will have a list of participating doctors in your area.
• When seeking a specialist, the best referral source is your primary care physician.