Word of mouth....when we are out of state I ask the people who run the RV parks we stay in for referrals.....Stacy

Can't really help with your search for a new doctor but wondered if you were aware of this site that people rate their doctor.

Here is a link that might be useful: rate your doctor

I go down the list from our insurance company, and make an appointment with the first Dr. that takes new patients. Not much use to ask people... as I didn't know many here when I moved.

Preferred would be word of mouth, friends and relatives... but that won't work, when you move across the state.

Moni

When we moved and had to find all new doctors, I used my insurance provider book to find doctors on our plan and chose ones located close to us. Went for a consultation meeting with family doctor to ask him a few questions. He "passed" my quizzing and is now our doctor. I could not find a good dentist. Asked my orthopedic surgeon who he and his family had and now I have a great dentist.

I do ask friends and family and it that doesn't work, I look to the www. Found a good thyroid doctor through the topdoc site below. They are not just thyroid doctors, so you may want to check the list for your state and read what people have said.

Here is a link that might be useful: Top Docs

I recently had to find a new Dr in our same town.

I chose a clinic first, by location. I looked them up in the phone book and found their internet site. Then I looked through all the doctors and chose from their line of practice. I picked a cute young lady, (they had pictures on their site) then called to see if she was taking new patients and made an appointment.

She was wonderful! She took plenty of time and showed real interest in me and was very helpful.

I ask existing doctors.

When I moved here a few years ago, I went to the clinic's website. I knew I wanted a young woman internist. That narrowed the field to two. I started working at the hospital and heard from coworkers which doctor was the favorite. I had to wait a couple of months to get in to see her but it was worth the wait. Now she is so busy, she isn't taking new patients.
I picked my dentist by asking coworkers and they said "anyone across the street". I actually picked which one because he had an unusual name. I really like him. He is young.
I picked my vet by asking Sandy. I am very happy with my vet.

There's also Angies List - started doing MDs...

Here is a link that might be useful: Angies List -FAQ section

If I was relocating and looking for a new doctor, I would first check if he/she is in my plan. I would also want a board-certified doctor.

Carol

I ask co-workers who share my insurance. I just switched back to Group Health, and they have bios for each doctor on their website, so you can read and choose. I picked a great one and love her so far!

Sometimes the nurses in a hospital or large clinic will suggest certain Doctors. After all, who other that the family knows medical staff.

I want to change doctors too. In fact want to go to a whole different group. Have been with the same HMO for years and care was excellent till the last few years. Now the good Drs. are bailing out and I get a new rookie every year. Very cocky young things at that.

Thought I'd found a Dr. in the new offices built right here in the neighborhood and taking new patients. Affiliated with good hospitals. But I just put the name of the one I wanted in the link above (where people rated docs) and he's rated one (lowest 1-5) Only thing he scored ok on was Punctual.

Back to the drawing board. Problem around here is most docs are not taking new patients. Very strange to have a shortage in a city with excellent teaching hospitals/universities.

I'm part of a different ball game, but when I read of asking the insurance co., I thought that I might be somewhat reluctant to do that, for in case I might have a substantial difference of opinion with the insurance co., I'd want my practitioner to be ready to go to bat for me ... which s/he might be a little less inclined to do if s/he were on really good terms with the insurance co.

Around here, there are many who lack a general practitioner - it's really hard to find one willing to take new patients.

ole joyful

In Ontario, you can go on the College of Physicians website and find out which doctors are accepting patients. Then you can look further there to see when and where they graduated from, whether or not they have hospital admitting privileges, whether or not they have restrictions etc. It is a great source of information if you are willing to do some homework. Sites such as RateMD's are also a site of information that will give you a bit of an indication of how the doctor treats the patients. As a nurse, I have worked with many doctors and I have to say that it is pretty accurate for personalities. Keep in mind that there will always be some unhappy reports. Doctors are human after all and no one is perfect. It will give you an idea and a general feeling about a doctor in any case.

Doctors in Ontario are in such short supply, we really don't have the luxury of choosing as much as in some countries. We are lucky if we can find a doctor that will take us.

Thanks so much, everyone. Your input has helped me bunches!

I've decided to give one doctor a try based on the fact that she's 5 minutes away from here & has all that is needed to get lab work, Xrays and bunches of tests all done in the same building. I'll see how comfortable I feel after the first visit and will go from there.

Thanks again! :)