By Mary Rarick

As someone who pays a lot of money for health insurance (more on that topic in another blog), I am a firm believer that your health care providers should be five star. We’re paying a premium; we should receive rock star care.

But finding a good healthcare provider is difficult, to say the least. It’s kind of like finding a good hair stylist. It’s not just about finding someone who knows what they’re doing. No. They have to “get” you. It has to be a good fit.

We’ve been lucky with primary care physicians: when we moved to Oregon 15 years ago we found the perfect doctor on the second try. Our doctor took the time to get to know us and was an excellent listener. She had a great sense of humor. And both my husband and I (and eventually my daughter) adored her. Right up until she decided to shift gears and walk away from her practice.

This spring, when we were due for our annual physicals, it was with some trepidation that we made appointments to meet with our doctor’s replacement. The pedestal was high. How could anyone be as perfect as our doctor had been?

And yet, after meeting her, both of us agree that, gulp, we almost like the new doctor better. And we’re thrilled. What does our new doctor have on perfection? For starters, she was thoroughly acquainted with our charts and blood test results before she stepped foot in the exam room AND, if that wasn’t good enough, she was organized and proactive: “I see you use prescription eye drops for allergies. I’ll go ahead and email another prescription to your pharmacist so you can get your next refill without calling the office.” Wha…?!! She’s more organized than I am, and, trust me on this one, very few people are.

Armed with the knowledge that great doctors aren’t as few and far between as previously though, I immediately set to work looking for a “better” dermatologist. You know, one who doesn’t prescribe 8 medications for a teen who can barely handle two teeth brushings a day. And I’m happy to report success on that front, too. As he was getting into the car after his first appointment with the new dermatologist, my son commented, “I think she gets me.”  And what a blessing that is.

Tags: doctors, healthcare, teens