No one wants to go through the process of finding a doctor only to discover that you made the wrong choice! Here are some mistakes to avoid and save yourself aggravation, time and money.
Mistake #1: Don't take the easy way out.
This is one time that looking in the phone book and "letting your fingers do the walking" could work against you.
The yellow pages (business section of the phone book) or any local guidebook can be a valuable resource for information about doctors and healthcare professionals, but don't stop there.
Keep going.
Make the effort to do a thorough research.
* Promotion? Solicitation? Sometimes we notice that sponsoring hospitals and medical groups promote new physician arrivals and upcoming retirements.
Even so, most professionals do not advertise personally or aggressively.
That type of self-promotion is frowned upon by the medical community.
If you receive a direction solicitation, question a) the source and b) the motive.
This may be a legitimate offer by a caring, skilled individual; it may not.
Flyers, giveaways, special promotions and eye-catching ads can be the easiest and quickest ways for newly arrived professionals to get started in a community, but be careful not to "jump.
" Don't be easily persuaded (a.
k.
a.
gullible) when it comes to healthcare.
Be a good consumer and do your homework, exactly like what you would do when replacing a home appliance or buying a car.
* Before you choose a doctor, ask your friends and family for referrals.
Word-of-mouth is the best advertising and that fact applies here, too.
Ask questions of real people who you know and trust.
This is an especially important part of the process if you are aware of your ailment and are seeking a specialist.
Don't forget to ask the professionals you know for referrals, too, i.
e.
your General Practice physician, mental health therapist or massage therapist.
* Before choosing any healthcare provider, take a moment to see if your decision feels right in your gut.
When a person seems unapproachable, he or she probably is.
If another seems too friendly and tries to sell you the proverbial "store" before asking about your problem, expect the same-- lots of pressure to buy goods or services.
You want and deserve someone who relates to and cares about YOU! *Before accepting the products or services of a health provider whom you find on the internet, check out a) his or her credentials, b) customer/ client testimonials and c) other written work, i.
e.
reports, digital downloads (e-books) and published works.
You may find a great new source for healing, but it pays to be careful.

(Note: I once visited a specialist who I hoped would help me with tough symptoms of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
During the first few seconds of standing in front of him, he declared that he did not believe in my illness.
Now I ask you, how could a doctor not believe in actual physical conditions? Recognized, researched, medical-profession-accepted physical conditions? The answer lies not only in his disbelief and personal bias, but also in the way in which he approached me! Very poorly! Needless to say, I did not return to that doctor.
I found someone else who would listen to my concerns and who had an open mind.
(Hint: if I had checked out this physician more thoroughly before the visit, I might have discovered his "opinion," and thus not wasted my time and money.
)

Mistake #2: Don't look at professional credentials alone.
Investigate and consider what the professional's background may mean to the outcome of your healthcare situation.
Decide if you can take advantage of his or her services and the accompanying resources, i.
e.
a surgeon specializing in cardiac by-pass surgery.
If you don't need the procedure, don't go to that type of physician and expect complete wellness care! Sounds elementary, but it is amazing how many people go to a specialized physician and then are surprised when the physician offers their specialty medical care as the best answer! Mistake #3: Don't overlook professional credentials either.
The professional who you use only has a few things to offer you: education, training, experience, personal care and intuition.
If you choose well (such as someone with specialized ELT training; see below), you may open up the possibility ofreceiving valuable information and services that you would not get by going anywhere else.
It is worth your time to check out these issues before making an appointment and choosing someone with fewer credentials and services.
Mistake #4: Don't allow someone else to make this important choice for you.
You really need a good doctor; you have to live with your choice.
If you relinquish this medical decision to someone else, you may not get the result you desire.

Get involved at the very beginning of the process.
Do your homework.
Express your desire of what you want to find in a professional.
You have the right to expect good medical care.
It may not happen if you choose the wrong person.

Mistake #5: Don't settle for an easy answer.
This point needs little explanation, yet every day people allow this to happen because * a) they feel too bad physically or mentally {i.
e pain, brain fog, etc.
} * b) they make excuses for what they can and cannot do- or - * c) they are desperate and choose the first thing (person) that comes along.
If you have trouble making a good choice about a health professional, ask family and friends for help.
They can assist you.
You do not have to go through this process alone.
People who care for you want you to get the help that you need.
Plus, you want good quality care so do this right!

Bonus Tip 1:If there are no family members or close friends to help, ask for assistance from a church or community/ government agency, i.
e.
League of Older Americans.
Somehow...
somewhere there are people who will help if you ask.

Bonus Tip 2: Check out the local medical society for complaints and actions pending about particular individuals.

Your healthcare is likelier to begin and end well if you make good, sound decisions.