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Importance of choosing a doctor wisely

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) – Keeping men healthy by getting them to go to the doctor and get into gowns.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) – Keeping men healthy by getting them to go to the doctor and get into gowns.

But it’s encouraging men to see a doctor on a regular basis.

We realize we've been ignoring the most basic issue of all, choosing a doctor.

Craig O'Neill is telling us the five things to remember when choosing a doctor as taught by the young and old.

Young Doctor Joseph is joined by experienced patient, Rickey Newton, who has the gift of hindsight.

“I never went to the Doctor till I turned like 40 and then you need one,” said Newton.

Lesson one in choosing a doctor. Your insurance company may have a list. You can find one on a clinic's website, but the best method might just be to listen

“Ask their friends. Ask their family who they enjoy going to” Doctor Joseph says.

Newton says, “A lot of times you hear people talk and I go by word of mouth more than anything.”

Lesson Two: Start with your basic, primary care physician, general practitioner experienced in general checkups.

“There's a lot we do in the primary care setting that would not be done necessarily in an urgent care clinic or in an ER for instance.”

“Something may sneak up on you and you don't know it without checking,” says Newton.

Lesson three: Early on look to establish rapport

Doctor Joseph says, “The main thing you're wanting to look for is who would be a good fit for you.”

“And I finally found one that listened and uh started taking care of me.”

Lesson four: Be picky

“Even if you know, the first meeting with a given physician does not go well, it's no reason you should give up and not continue to seek out a primary care physician.”

“If you find one on the front end that works, keep him, if not keep shopping, there's a bunch out there,” said Newton.

Lesson five. Plan on a long-term relationship

“You will have the ability to grow up with that physician as well and continue to build that relationship over several decades as opposed to just an acute setting where you're going to be seeing that one physician that one time and maybe never see him again,” says Doctor Joseph.

“You better start early because uh all the good ones may be booked up.”

Take these lessons to heart cause you men know you need to put on the gown. Listen to the voice of experience.

“You need somebody. You need somebody back there on your side.”

Once you find a doctor who works best for you remember to see them regularly and put on the gown.

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