Specialist
Ask what the word specialist stands for.
“Specialist” suggests a focus on a particular kind of care. Ask what training and experience the person has with your health problem.
Check the experience behind the title
Ask about the person
Find out who will conduct the assessment and what their professional role is. Ask how their work relates to the problem you bring.
- What kinds of health problems do they usually assess?
- How do they discuss the choice of medicine?
- Who handles questions if that person is away?
Match the name to a public record
A doctor’s licensing board publishes whether the doctor holds a licence and whether it has taken public action over their conduct. The board record does not rate how well the doctor cares for people.
- For a doctor, use the state medical board’s own record.
- For other health professions, request the name of the board that issued the licence.
- Keep the name and the record together in your notes.
Ask how care continues
Bring the conversation back to what will happen after the first visit.
- How will progress be discussed?
- How do I get a reply about a new concern?
- When might I need care in person?