If you leave the office not knowing why you've been prescribed what's prescribed, that's a red flag.
If you're taking the time out of your day (and the co-pay from your wallet) to go see a doctor, you should be able to trust them to do, So consider these questions to see if you have a good doctor or if you should consider finding someone new.
Every visit to the doctor starts with you explaining why you're here, or with the provider and their staff asking questions about how your health has been lately. You need to be able to trust your doctor enough to give honest answers, even if it means revealing details about your personal life or admitting you haven't followed their previous advice.
Do they take you seriously?
This is related to how much you trust your doc, but consider this question on its own. Do you think your doctor really listens to what you say and takes your concerns seriously? Do you have the opportunity to communicate the things that matter to you? And make sure you understand what's going on? You shouldn't leave the office not knowing why they ordered the tests or prescribed the treatments they did. Your doctor needs to be able to talk to you about your care and concerns and that it's an honest conversation for both parties. (This goes for both.) For example, if you read about a drug you'd like to try or a test you think you might need, you don't want a doctor to dismiss the idea without really knowing why. you want. But you also don't want a doctor who signs everything off without discussing risk or cost.
Are they keeping up with current evidence?
The standard of care changes over time, so you don't want to be stuck with a doctor who gives outdated advice or is unaware of new treatments. That said, there is plenty of room for even the best doctors to disagree on the best course of action. It may be helpful to consult the guidelines or position papers of professional medical societies and see how they compare to your care. For example, the American Heart Association has guidelines on how doctors should monitor blood tests and prescribe treatments to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease. If your treatments appear to be different than what the experts recommend, this is fair game to bring it up at your next appointment. Perhaps your situation is different, and for good reason; Or maybe you leave the office feeling like you need a second opinion.
Can they do the things you need?
The kindest, most up-to-date doctor isn't much use if he doesn't accept your insurance, he can't admit you to the hospitals you have access to, or he's simply not that good at the specialized care you want. them to provide. Be sure to check your doctor's affiliations and insurance status, and consider looking to see if your doctor is board-certified in their specialty. A doctor doesn't have to be board certified to be good at what he does, but that's a good sign.
Another thing that's harder to figure out is if they're good at their job, for example, if you need surgery, do they have good results when they do that surgery? You can look up information on sites like DocInfo.org, but it's also very helpful to get recommendations from people you know and other health professionals. The idea of trusting your doctor snowballs here: If you trust your PCP, you'll likely trust them to refer you to a good specialist.