Your good health and the health of loved ones are the most valuable assets you can have. Placing your medical care in the right hands is not just a goal that you hope you can achieve - it is a necessity that requires you to make the best choices you can. Your primary care physician and any specialists you see on a regular basis are your link to long-term heart health. And, should hospital care become necessary, you want to be assured the highest-quality service and the most successful outcomes given the circumstances of your admission.

Selecting a doctor and a hospital may take some time and energy, but your effort will pay off. You will have the peace of mind knowing that you are the receiving the best health services available from trustworthy professionals. Your relationship with a doctor and other medical providers will also get off on the right foot as you establish your expectations and develop a comfortable rapport to achieve your goals.

What makes a good doctor? The answer to this question differs from patient to patient. Research shows that the most satisfied patients:

• Are better educated about their medical conditions and more actively participate in decisions about their care.
  
  
• Have a long-term and continuous relationship with the same doctor(s).
  
  
• Have great confidence in the U.S. health care system.
  
  
• Appreciate good service, including reasonable waiting times for appointments, and convenient and accessible facilities.
  
  
• Can rely on friendly and professional medical staff to answer their questions regarding care and treatment, payment, and insurance.
  
  
• Are confident in the professional competence of their doctor.

Choosing a doctor who meets your needs requires looking at a complete package that includes the doctor’s credentials, the way the doctor and staff interact with you during a visit, the ability of the doctor to establish the trust that leads to a long-term relationship, a convenient location and adequate accessibility. 

Finding the right healthcare providers may require multiple visits to meet and interview several physicians. An important first step is selecting a health plan that has flexibility  to allow you to choose the best doctors for your needs. Many employers offer different insurance providers and plans to their employees. It is best to become familiar with the plans in terms of participating doctors and facilities, co-payments and deductibles.

For heart concerns and conditions, you should be monitored by a cardiologist. If you are looking for a specific cardiologist and have a good relationship with a general practitioner (GP), ask him or her for a referral. The GP may even be able to verify for you that the cardiologist is a member of your plan. Family and friends can also be good sources for referrals.

When you have the names of several doctors, set up an appointment to meet them. Patients should obtain the following information:

• Training and background. Cardiologists are licensed and are typically board-certified. If you have an existing condition, they should have extensive training and experience with your condition. Also, you should inquire about any law suits or board suspensions in the physician’s background. This information can be found by contacting your state board of health.
  
  
• Communication and trust. As you speak with the doctor, pay attention to his or her professional demeanor. You probably want a doctor who makes you feel comfortable right away, listens to you and thoroughly answers your questions, and shares his or her philosophy of care and treatment. The physician may ask you about some of your lifestyle choices, such as diet or tobacco smoking. Do you feel at ease even while discussing what might be considered negative or unhealthy habits? If so, it may suggest that the physician’s “bedside manner” complements your own personality. Speaking openly and honestly is vital to establishing trust. You must be able to talk to your doctor about virtually anything.
  
  
• Location and accessibility. In an emergency situation, you need your doctor to be close at hand. You may also have health conditions that impose certain limitations on your mobility. In cases such as these you need a facility that is easily accessible. Of course, distance is relative. If the best physician for you is a little bit further than the closest physician to you, it may be worth the extra few miles you must travel.
  
  Also, determine how easily will you be able to get an appointment with the doctor or contact him or her in an emergency. Some physicians now offer a “preferred patient” or VIP plan to their patients. For an established fee, these patients receive certain advantages, such as guaranteed same-day appointments or 24-hour telephone access to the physician.
  
  
• Hospital affiliations. In certain circumstances, doctors are only as good as the hospitals with which they are affiliated. Therefore, it is important to know what these hospitals are, where they are located and the quality care they provide.
  
  
• Office environment and staff. What about the care and service you receive from the office staff? As you gather information about doctors, ask about office practices and procedures as well, such as:
  
  
  • Office hours
  • Any language preferences
  • Average length of wait for an office appointment
  • Average wait in the office on day of appointment
  • Fees/penalties for canceling an appointment
    
    
• Knowledge of women’s issues. With more and more women living longer and/or engaging in high-risk activities such as smoking, they are increasingly susceptible to heart-related conditions. Research has shown that women have different needs in the diagnosis and treatment of heart-related illnesses. Women should select a doctor based on his or her knowledge of women’s health issues. The Association of Women for the Advancement of Research and Education (AWARE) suggests asking doctors whether they treat a significant number of older women (above age 40), asking about their care and treatment of women on hormone replacement therapy, and their emphasis on diet, exercise and stress control.

Nobody wants to be in the hospital, but most of us will need to visit one at some point in our lives. Hospitals are not all alike. They differ in size and their areas of specialization. In addition, some are for-profit organizations and others are not-for-profit institutions. Some are large teaching hospitals affiliated with medical schools, while others are smaller community-based facilities. Nevertheless, for you, the patient, the bottom line is quality.

In evaluating the quality of a hospital, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality recommends the following “quick-check for quality”:

• Is the hospital accredited? The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) provides health care consumers with free access to the current accreditation status of more than 15,000 health care organizations, including hospitals. It is likely that major hospitals in your area will be listed.
  
  
• Is the hospital highly ranked by state or consumer groups?
  
  
• Where does your doctor have hospital privileges?
  
  
• Is the hospital approved by your health plan?
  
  
• Does the hospital have experience, and successful outcomes, with your condition? Good sources for this information are the American Hospital Association’s American Hospital Directory and the American Medical Association’s Hospital Select.
  
  
• Does the hospital have a process to evaluate and improve its performance and quality of care?

Other considerations:

• Is the hospital conveniently located?
  
  
• Is the hospital clean? Does it meet your expectations for comfort and amenities for you and your visitors?
  
  
• Does the hospital have social services to help you, and your family members and friends, overcome the emotional, psychological, social and other effects of your condition and/or hospital stay?
  
  
• Does the facility have a patients’ rights and responsibilities statement?
  
  
• Does the facility abide by federal laws to protect patients’ privacy regarding health information?

Preparing questions in advance can help patients have more meaningful discussions with their physicians. Questions can also help each individual patient better determine whether a physician or medical facility is a good fit. Patients may wish to ask their doctor or healthcare professionals the following questions:

1. What school did you receive your medical degree from? Where did you perform your residency?
   
   
2. Are you licensed and board certified?
   
   
3. How long have you been practicing?
   
   
4. In what other states have you practiced?
   
   
5. Have you had experience treating my conditions?
   
   
6. Which local hospitals are you affiliated with?
   
   
7. Do you participate in my health insurance plan?
   
   
8. What are your policies for handling an emergency?
   
   
9. Do you have other partners in your practice?
   
   
10. How long does it typically take to obtain an appointment with you?
    
    
11. Do you offer preferred patient or VIP services for a fee?
    
    
12. What additional services (e.g., blood tests, x-rays) can you perform in your office?