How to Find a Good Foot Doctor
- 1). Search the American Podiatric Medical Association's "Find a Provider" service for a member near you. Find a link in Resources. Although they do not endorse or recommend any of the providers listed, membership in this national organization is a sign that the provider has access to continuing education, conferences, and other tools to keep their knowledge updated.
- 2). Find a provider through certification boards. The American Board of Podiatric Orthopedics and Primary Podiatric Medicine and the American Board of Podiatric Surgery offer provider search services on their websites. Follow the links in Resources. Certification means that the podiatrist has completed the required training, and has additional experience beyond completing medical school training and residency.
- 3). Ask your family doctor for a referral. General practitioners often know at least a few specialists, including podiatrists, and can recommend a good podiatrist in your area. Insurance companies sometimes require a referral by your family doctor to see specialists, so you can fulfill this requirement as well when you ask.
- 4). Ask friends, family, and acquaintances about their experiences with podiatrists. Some of the best people you can talk to, former and current patients will give you the absolute lowdown on what their experiences with a certain podiatrist have been like. Ease of scheduling, the attitude of the front office staff, treatment by nurses, and the quality of information and aftercare are all areas that can be covered in a word-of-mouth recommendation.
- 5). Call potential podiatrists and talk with them. Once you have narrowed down your options to perhaps two or three doctors, consider calling the office and asking questions. You might want to ask what insurance they accept, how long it will take to get an appointment, how they handle after-hours emergencies or difficulties, and how much time the doctor will actually spend with you, as opposed to nurses or technicians. This is a great opportunity to gauge how the staff handles patient questions and the level of warmth and efficiency present in the office.
- 6). Consider setting up a consultation before agreeing to become a patient. Although you may be charged for an office visit, consultations can answer many of your questions face-to-face and help you decide whether the podiatrist is right for you. This may be especially helpful in reducing anxiety and increasing trust when the procedure is more invasive, as in bunion or hammertoe surgeries.
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