Finding a physician in Atlanta is not difficult. There are services available for free which can help you to find a physician in this expansive metro area without much effort. In fact, the only thing you really need to decide is how much information you want about the doctor. Of course, a database can tell you the facts and provide contact information for a doctor, but ultimately you will need to make a decision based on your interaction with her.
African-American Physicians
Founded in 1890, the Atlanta Medical Association comprises mainly African-Americans serving the Atlanta community. The organization has a website at atlantamedicalassoc.org where you can find a physician by selecting the specialty of the doctor you are looking for, then selecting the city in which you are interested in seeking medical services. A search for a general physician in Atlanta returned a list of doctors with their names, cities and ZIP codes. A few on the list showed their complete addresses, but not a single one had a telephone number displayed. Thus, once you find a name you will need to consult the online Yellow Pages to get a telephone number.
Doctors With Profiles
Findadoc.com is an online service which offers an extensive database of physicians. Once you complete the initial screen, you will get a list of doctors in Atlanta with their names and addresses. You can click on the physician's name to get a profile, which gives more information about the doctor, including telephone numbers, schools attended, whether the physician accepts insurance, and whether new patients are being accepted. In addition, ratings are given for each doctor. The ratings are compiled from people who have gone to the doctors for medical services.
More Detailed Information on Doctors
Healthgrades.com provides perhaps the most comprehensive database for use in finding a physician in Atlanta. Not only does the company offer contact information and number of years since graduating medical school, it provides the gender of the doctor and whether the doctor has been subjected to disciplinary proceedings. It also offers ratings from patients of the doctor, as well as a listing of insurance plans accepted and whether or not the doctor is accepting new patients. Additionally, the company states whether or not it has verified any certifications the physician claims to have.
Checking the Doctor's Disciplinary Actions
If you know the name of the doctor you are trying to find, then you can go to the website of the state of Georgia State Board of Medical Examiners at docboard.org/ga/. There you can find contact information as well as whether or not a doctor has been subjected to disciplinary action.
Locate by Specialty
Appointmentnet.com provides basic contact information for doctors in the Atlanta area, including telephone numbers. It also provides a map and driving directions. The first screen asks you to select a specialty of the physician you want to find.
Planning for Your First Visit
Now that you have located a physician, there are some things you will want to do to prepare for your first visit. Get your existing doctors and hospitals to send copies of your medical records to your new doctor as soon as possible in advance of your appointment, to the extent this is practical. Prepare a list of any medicines and supplements you are taking and carry these with you to your appointment. Be sure to list over-the-counter medicines you take and state what symptoms and conditions you are taking these medicines and supplements to treat or to prevent.
Questions to Ask on Your First Doctor Visit
According to Healthgrades.com, there are some important questions you will want to ask your new doctor on your first visit. These include whether the physician has reviewed any medical records you had sent to him, will the physician call you if abnormal results are discovered in your records or in subsequent tests and examinations, and whether the doctor accepts any insurance you may have or payment plans if you do not have insurance. Healthgrades also advises that you take a notebook with you to write down comments the doctor makes about your condition, and to document any instructions you are given.
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