There is no shortage of quality osteopathic physicians in the world today. However, finding one which is right for you is not necessarily easy.
Need help finding the right osteopathic physician? You’ve come to the right place. Here are 5 questions to ask along the way.
1. “How Long Have You Been Practicing Medicine?”
Something you should know when interviewing prospective physicians is how long they have been practicing medicine.
Typically, you will want to work with a physician who has at least a few years of professional experience under his or her belt. Someone who has practiced for this long has gathered valuable real-world experience and can apply that in the treatment of subsequent patients.
In most cases, the longer a physician has been practicing, the more competent care you will receive. However, this is not necessarily the case. Someone with at least 5 years of professional experience will typically be suitable.
2. “From What School Did You Graduate?”
In addition to asking about professional experience, it’s also important to ask about academic experience. When interviewing potential physicians, it’s important to know what schools they have attended.
There are 34 accredited osteopathic medical schools in the United States. Make sure that the physician you’re considering has graduated from one of them. A link to these schools can be found here.
3. “Are You Licensed?”
It’s important to never, under any circumstances, receive medical care from an unlicensed physician. If a physician is not licensed, it’s because he or she has not demonstrated the competency needed to provide safe osteopathic care.
Any osteopathic physician worth his or her salt will have passed a state-sanctioned exam, and will have earned a license to practice osteopathic medicine in said state. You should ask to see proof of this license whenever you’re speaking to a potential caregiver.
Again, if a physician cannot provide proof of licensure, you should not take him or her on as your doctor.
4. “Are You Board Certified?”
In most cases, osteopathic physicians specialize in one specific subsect of osteopathic medicine. These subspecialties include everything from emergency medicine, to family medicine, to dermatology, and more.
To become a specialist in one of these areas, a physician must become certified through the American Osteopathic Association. This requires passing an exam and demonstrating competency in the selected specialty.
When trying to choose a physician, be cognizant of his or her specialties. You want to choose a doctor who can accommodate your specific need.
5. “Do You Accept My Health Insurance?”
The last thing you need to consider when attempting to choose an osteopathic physician is health insurance compatibility. The truth of the matter is that your health insurance may not be accepted by the physician with whom you truly want to work.
As you may well know, some hospitals and caregivers only accept specific types of health insurance. If your health insurance is not accepted by a specific caregiver, you’ll have to pay out of pocket. This could be very expensive.
Before scheduling any appointments, you need to be 100% certain that your health insurance is acceptable. You don’t want to be hit with any surprise bills in the future.
Looking for an Osteopathic Physician in Chicago or Olympia Fields?
Are you looking to benefit from osteopathic medicine? Are you searching for an osteopathic physician in Chicago? If so, Feely Center for Optimal Health has you covered.
Our physicians offer treatments of all kinds, from osteopathic manipulation, to acupuncture, to pediatric care, and more. We aim to treat the entire body, taking the physical, emotional, physiological, and psychological into account.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
