Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014 | 2 a.m.
Choosing the right doctor can be a matter of life and death.
There are a dizzying array of choices. The Nevada Board of Medical Examiners reports 4,756 practicing physicians in the state.
Where should you begin?
Interview yourself
Are you a healthy person who needs just occasional checkups? Or someone with chronic problems? The answer can help you decide whether you need a primary care doctor or a specialist.
For general care, plan ahead. Some Southern Nevada doctors aren’t accepting new patients, and many who are have months-long waiting lists.
Don’t be scared by DOs
In the world of physicians, there are medical doctors — MDs — and doctors of osteopathic medicine — DOs. The degrees are equivalent, and both are legitimate, according to the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health.
Check your insurance
Begin with a list of health care providers whose services are covered by your health insurance. Get referrals from co-workers who have the same health care plan.
“If you don’t choose a provider who’s on your plan, you get charged an awful lot more money,” said Stacy Woodbury, executive director of the Nevada State Medical Association.
Call doctors’ offices and ask about their fees and payment policies.
Set your priorities
Decide what’s important to you.
Do you need a doctor near your home or office, or are you willing to drive across town? Do you expect efficiency and on-time care, or are you willing to wait? If your doctor is unavailable, are you willing to be seen by someone else in the practice? Do you want same-day appointments? After-hours care? Crisp professionalism or nurturing bedside manner?
Based on your priorities, create a list of five or six questions to ask potential physicians.
Do some homework
Once you narrow your list to a few doctors, research them. Find out if they are licensed here or have faced any disciplinary action.
For MDs, visit the Nevada medical examiners’ online doctor database to search for doctors with disciplinary sanctions. For DOs, visit the state Board of Osteopathic Medicine’s website and click on the public resources link.
Ask where they attended medical school, where they did their residencies, and whether they are board certified in their specialties. The American Board of Medical Specialities offers an online search tool. Board certification shows that a doctor passed rigorous tests and faced a peer review.
Woodbury also suggested asking the Clark County Medical Society or Nevada State Medical Association for referrals.
“People are screened for membership in the medical society,” she said.
Ask about outcomes
When selecting specialists, be sure to ask how often they perform the procedure you need and how often it is successful.
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