Working Caregiver- Selecting a Physician
How do we select a new physician for our aging parent?
Your aging parent''s or relative's health may be changing and require help to find a new primary care physician. My family was tasked in finding my dad a new physician when he changed nursing homes due to his Alzheimer's disease. We spoke with many friends and colleagues for referrals, and interviewed doctors before making a selection.
One of the things we looked for was ease and thoroughness of communication between doctor, our dad, and the family. We looked to see if the doctor was willing to spend adequate time with dad, the care recipient, to help him (and the family) understand the problem and to discuss courses of action. Some of these suggestions are not subtle and unless you spend some time in the interview process, may never learned. But if you asking friends about the referred doctor, find out; if the doctor support the patient’s wishes regarding medical procedures and extraordinary measures? What’s the doctor’s philosophy of prescribing drugs for symptoms vs. determining and treating root causes? Who covers for the doctor when he/she is out of the office, on vacation? Does the doctor show respect for the patient and you? I can tell you right off, if the doctor does not show respect for the famil and if he/she thinks they know best... WATCH OUT! This attitude will bite you when it really counts. Also check to see which health plans is the doctor associated with? Is the doctor willing to battle with an HMO or insurance company if necessary? These are some important points to keep in mind when searching for a new physician. | 
