Step 2: Conduct a Search and Check Credentials

LOOK BEYOND "THE LIST"
Simply plucking a name from an insurance company's roster isn't the way to find a quality caregiver. And while it's fine to start your research with one of the growing number of "best doctor" guides — such as America's Top Doctors (Castle Connolly, $30, www.amazon.com), Consumers' Guide to Top Doctors (Center for the Study of Services, $25, www.amazon.com), or a local magazine's physician "it list" — take such nods lightly. "Many of the selections in some of these guides are political or based on high-profile research rather than patient care," cautions Soden.

ASK AROUND — BUT DON'T STOP THERE
Polling pals is a time-honored way to find a physician, but, as Amy Crews learned, it's one that can easily backfire. "If someone raves about her doctor, ask her why and press her for examples," says Soden.

Who really knows which doctors are universally adored, which are at the top of their game, and which to steer clear of? Their colleagues, of course. So be sure to ask your gynecologist or another trusted practitioner if you're in the market for a new PCP. But don't just take the doctor's recommendation on faith. "Always get two physicians' names, then ask which the doctor recommends more highly and why," Levine advises.

DO SOME DETECTIVE WORK
Once you have a list of prospective physicians in hand, tap into your state-medical-board site (see Getting the Goods on Your Doctor) to find out where each doctor was educated and trained (you could also call their offices and simply ask). "U.S. medical schools are uniformly good, so it's more important to consider where a doctor did his residency," says Levine. "It varies from program to program. But, in general, large university hospitals get the cream of the crop."

Another thing to look for: whether a doctor has been sued for malpractice. This information may make alarm bells go off, but consider the big picture. "Doctors, especially surgeons, who take on complicated cases accept a higher risk of being sued," says Levine. So don't let one lawsuit turn you away from a seemingly good doctor. (Numerous malpractice suits, on the other hand, should rightly give you pause.) But do look closely at a doctor's discipline record and who initiated any actions. "A citation for medical misconduct is a huge red flag," Levine says.

CHECK BOARD CERTIFICATION
Although it's not required to practice medicine, "board certification shows that a doctor has gone the extra step and gained more extensive expertise in a field of practice," says Soden. Look for a physician who has passed an exam gauging her skills in one of the 24 disciplines certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). To check up on a doctor's certification, go to the ABMS website (www.abms.org).

You can also check the ABMS site to see whether the doctor has been recertified. "Most specialties require recertification every 6 to 10 years to maintain board certification," says Edward Hill, M.D., president-elect of the American Medical Association (AMA) and a family physician in Tupelo, Mississippi. "That's important, because 50 to 70 percent of medical knowledge changes every 10 years, and you want to know that your doctor's staying up to date."

Don't fall for the "board eligible" tag that many doctors throw around. "'Board eligible' means one of four things, none of them good," says Levine. "She's just graduated from a medical program, she's not officially trained in the specialty she's practicing, she never bothered to take the exam, or she took the exam and failed."

INTERVIEW YOUR FINALISTS
Once you have a few contenders, set up interviews with them—that's right, interviews. Some practices may charge for this initial consultation; others may not. If the front desk tells you that the doctor doesn't "do" interviews, just make a regular appointment. "When you go, keep your clothes on and tell the doctor you just want to chat," advises Patricia Carroll, R.N., author of What Nurses Know (Perigee Books, $15, www.amazon.com).

Come armed with a short list of questions about key health issues, such as her opinion of alternative medical treatments, like acupuncture, or her view on hormone replacement therapy if you are approaching menopause. Pay attention to what she says and how she listens, and to the level of comfort and connection you feel with her. Follow your gut. "It comes down to this," says Carroll. "Is this doctor someone you'd trust with your life?"