Question 1

How does Doctor Finder work?

Accepted Answer

Unlike doctor finders that are based on user reviews (which have been shown not to correspond to quality healthcare), MediFind uses cutting-edge machine learning techniques to sift through millions of peer-reviewed research articles and collect and integrate doctor and condition information from dozens of medical datasets. This allows MediFind to identify experts who are at the forefront of research and innovation for their respective field.  While MediFind’s algorithm is a complex, always-on, and ever-changing program, it’s designed around several guiding principles that signal a doctor’s expertise for a health condition: Research: perform and publish their own research for that condition Volume: see a large number of patients with a given condition Peer standing: are treated as experts in that condition by other doctors Connectedness: are well-connected to to other doctors researching that condition Learn more about how MediFind works here or read our FAQs.

Question 2

How does MediFind determine levels of expertise?

Accepted Answer

Our expert tiers are determined by a variety of factors using our proprietary algorithms. We consider things such as the number of articles a doctor has published in medical journals, participation in clinical trials, speaking at industry conferences, prescribing and referral patterns, as well as the number of patients a doctor sees for a given condition.

Question 3

What do the different levels of doctor expertise mean?

Accepted Answer

Many doctors have expertise treating multiple health conditions. And just because a doctor is a specialist doesn’t mean they are an expert in every health condition for that specialty. We use a proprietary methodology to assess each doctor’s expertise and level of experience across thousands of conditions. Then we tell you the conditions in which each doctor is most proficient, using a scale across four categories: ELITE doctors are global leaders in their fields. They publish many articles in medical journals, speak at medical conferences, and participate in multiple clinical trials. They are likely to be on the cutting edge of new treatments. These doctors are also likely to hold leadership positions in their respective organizations and fields.  DISTINGUISHED doctors are leaders in their fields and set themselves apart from many of their peers with their research portfolios and cutting edge treatments. These doctors are likely to have the most expertise in any geography. ADVANCED doctors can be excellent at diagnosing and treating conditions. They treat many patients and have extensive experience, however they are less likely to publish in medical journals, speak at medical conferences, or participate in clinical trials. EXPERIENCED doctors primarily treat patients only. These experts can be specialists or primary care physicians and have great experience in diagnosing and treating, but they typically do not have the credentials to set themselves apart from their peers. The majority of doctors are in the experienced level If you have a rare condition or a very serious illness, seeking advice and treatment from top experts may be the best choice. In the majority of situations, top tier expertise is usually not necessary. Learn more about how MediFind works here or read our FAQs.

Question 4

How do I find a doctor by specialty?

Accepted Answer

Simply type the name of the specialty into the search bar above. For example, if you’re looking for an oncologist, type “oncologist” in the search bar. MediFind will provide a list of doctors with that particular specialty and give you the option to refine results by geography so you can find doctors near you.  Many different specialties can treat the same symptoms and conditions. For example, stomach pain could reflect a condition best treated by a gastroenterologist, an infectious disease specialist, or a rheumatologist, among others. The best type of specialist to see depends on what the specific condition is causing the pain. Common specialties include: Cardiologist Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Endocrinologist Gastroenterologist Neurologist Oncologist Pulmonologist Rheumatologist Urologist See the full list of specialties here.

Question 5

What does it mean to search for a doctor by condition?

Accepted Answer

Part of what makes MediFind so powerful is that it enables you to find the doctors who are leading experts for thousands of health conditions. There are over 7,000 conditions that doctors need to treat. With so many conditions, it is nearly impossible for any doctor to be an expert in every unique condition, even if they are a specialist. However, plenty of research has shown that experience is the best predictor of expertise, and it is important to find a doctor who has a lot of experience with your particular condition. When you search by condition above, MediFind will provide a list of doctors organized by expertise level for that specific condition . This allows you to find doctors across specialties and locations who are the elite leaders in a field. Note that while this is especially important for people facing serious, rare, or complex health challenges, it’s generally not necessary for most people to see elite doctors to treat their health conditions. Learn more about how MediFind works here. Some of the most common conditions searched include: Ankylosing spondylitis Atopic dermatitis Atrial fibrillation Axial spondyloarthritis Bladder cancer Cervical cancer Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) Crohn’s disease Colorectal cancer (CRC) Cystic fibrosis (CF) Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) Hepatocellular carcinoma HER2-positive breast cancer (HER2+) Hodgkin lymphoma Gastric cancer Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) Macular degeneration Mantle cell lymphoma Melanoma Multiple myeloma Multiple sclerosis (MS) Psoriasis Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) Sickle cell disease Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) Ulcerative colitis (UC) Urothelial cancer

Question 6

How do I find a doctor near me?

Accepted Answer

Search for a doctor by condition (such as breast cancer) or specialty (such as oncologist) in the search bar above. MediFind will provide a list of doctors who match your search. You also have the option to refine results by geography so you can find doctors near you. You can also search for a specific doctor by name by typing their name (and location, if you’d like) into the search bar. Top doctors by US city: Atlanta, Georgia Boston, Massachusetts Chicago, Illinois Dallas, Texas Houston, Texas Los Angeles, California New York, New York Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Phoenix, Arizona San Jose, California

Question 7

How do I search for a doctor by name?

Accepted Answer

Simply type the doctor’s name into the search bar above. If you don’t know the doctor’s full name, you can also type part of their name and location, and MediFind will search for doctor profiles that match your entry. When you see the name of the doctor you’re looking for, click on their name and MediFind will take you to their profile page, where you can see detailed information about them including specialty, years in practice, location, health system affiliation, research articles, and clinical trials.

Question 8

What if I can’t find my doctor?

Accepted Answer

We have over 2.5 million doctors in MediFind, but not all doctors have the necessary research experience and credentials to meet the criteria our algorithms use to evaluate expertise. If you are happy with your doctor and believe you receive good care, then remain with them. If you are looking for doctors in specific conditions or have serious health concerns, MediFind can help you find the most qualified doctors in the world, your country, or your local area.

Question 9

Why is it important to find the best doctor?

Accepted Answer

One of the most important steps you can take for your health is finding the best doctor for your specific condition. Until now, people have had to rely on subjective user reviews. Unfortunately, research shows that there is actually no relationship between online patient ratings and physician quality. It's nearly impossible to know which doctors are truly experts in their field, or identify them across the globe. Medifind is the first platform in the world to use the power of big data to integrate doctor and health information from dozens of medical datasets, allowing us to identify the global experts truly at the forefront of their respective field. Our network includes more than 2.5 million global physicians, and our index is constantly growing to ensure up to date results.

Question 10

Who is the best doctor for me?

Accepted Answer

If you have been diagnosed with a health condition, it’s important to see a doctor with experience and expertise in that specific condition. This is especially crucial if your health condition is serious, rare, or complex. In these cases, it’s often recommended to seek out an elite expert with extensive training and experience in your condition.   If you are still trying to get a proper diagnosis or dealing with new symptoms, it’s often a better approach to work with a generalist, or a doctor who has experience with a lot of different conditions as opposed to deep experience in only a few. You can find a generalist by working with a primary care physician or a doctor who is a specialist in a field that commonly treats your symptoms. You can use MediFind’s symptom checker to investigate, or search for a specialty in the search bar above.

Question 11

How do I find the best primary care physician?

Accepted Answer

A primary care doctor is responsible for your ongoing healthcare monitoring and maintenance, and is your first line of treatment. To find a great primary care doctor, read our guide: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Primary Care Physician

Question 12

How far should I travel to find the best doctor?

Accepted Answer

Despite our increasingly connected world, there are times when you need to see your doctor in person. An important consideration when looking for a doctor is deciding how far you are willing to travel. In general, the more serious the situation, the further people are willing to travel. While this is a personal decision, this study on the amount of time spent seeking medical care found that the average time people spent traveling to see a doctor is 38 minutes. This includes all types of care (from seeing a primary care doctor, to seeing a specialist, to going to the hospital), and represents urban, suburban, and rural settings. If you are simply looking for a primary care doctor, this study concluded that people typically only travel about 18 minutes. So, a good rule of thumb is to select a primary care physician that is located somewhere between 15-30 minutes away. For more specialized care, you may need to travel considerably further, but look for specialists within 45 minutes of your home if possible. In recent years, many doctors have also adopted telehealth, also commonly called telemedicine, which is the use of digital technology to provide or supplement patient care. Telehealth can help reduce the burden of physical travel to your doctors. You might wish to consider contacting your doctor’s office to learn about telehealth options they offer. Also, you should contact your insurance as well to make sure you understand their reimbursement policies.

Question 13

Do I need to see a specialist?

Accepted Answer

Many people start looking for a doctor based on the symptoms they are experiencing. Regardless of where in the body you are experiencing symptoms, you should start with a primary care physician when you are trying to figure out what causes your symptoms ( note: if you are experiencing serious symptoms or symptoms that can be life threatening, then you should immediately seek emergency care). When going to see a primary care doctor, it is important to do everything you can to help your doctor diagnose you correctly. The Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine has developed a patient toolkit to help you gather the information you need to improve your chances of being diagnosed correctly. In particular, you should describe your symptoms and your family history, as well as any medications you are currently taking along with any abnormal test results you have had. In many situations, the primary care doctor will recommend that you go see a specialist to help get a precise diagnosis.

Question 14

When should I get a second opinion?

Accepted Answer

You may be surprised to learn that even experts in your specific condition can have different views on the best treatment path. In fact, a study from Mayo Clinic found that nearly 90% of patients seeking a second opinion receive a new or modified diagnosis. The original diagnosis was left unchanged in only 12% of cases. When possible, you should get a second opinion before making major treatment decisions. Ideally, you want to get a second opinion from an expert who can give you different point-of-view on treatment options, so you can make the choice that best reflects your needs. MediFind includes a second opinion search that allows you to find new doctors to evaluate your condition. Our algorithms look for doctors with similar characteristics to your doctor, but with different enough viewpoints to provide alternative opinions for your care.

Question 15

Does the doctor accept my insurance?

Accepted Answer

How much money we spend to see a doctor, also known as our “out of pocket” costs, is also very important in deciding which doctor to see. Your out-of-pocket costs play an important role in deciding who to see for primary care visits as well as many of your specialist visits. In general, it is much cheaper for you to see a doctor “in-network,” which means that this doctor has a contract with your health insurance company. “Out-of-network” doctors, on the other hand, do not have a contract with your health insurance company, so the cost passed along to you is almost always greater than if you were to see an in-network doctor. It is important to know your out-of-pocket costs before you see the doctor. Insurance plans will tell you the costs of in-network vs. out-of-network visits separately depending on if you are seeing a primary care doctor or a specialist. You should always check to see whether the doctor you are about to see is in-network. Some of the largest insurance plans include: Blue Cross Blue Shield UnitedHealth Anthem Blue Cross Humana Kaiser Medicaid and Medicare However, there may be times when you want to see a very specialized expert in a particular condition who is not in-network. In those cases, you should call the doctor’s office before scheduling a visit and see how much it will cost you. However, insurance plans change frequently and we recommend calling the doctor’s office or checking your insurance plan directly.

Find a Doctor

Using the MediFind Doctor Finder