What is the importance of having a doctor for your company?

Finding a good doctor who makes your staff feel comfortable will give them better health and peace of mind during the working hours.

• A good doctor will help your staff in the following ways:

• They oversee care for your employees, in some cases, their entire family.

• They build a relationship with your staff and become familiar with their health history.

• They focus on employee’s entire well-being and help them stay healthy.

• If necessary, they refer your staff to specialists who treat various conditions, areas of the body or age groups.

How to find a doctor with good qualities for your company

• Selecting a doctor for your employees is an important decision, so spend some time selecting a doctor before an urgent need arrives. They should listen, communicate clearly and treat your employees with respect and love and should do the following when treating your employees:

• Take time for introductions and opening conversation

• Speak to them in a way that's easy to understand

• Respect them and listen to them

• Seem patient and willing to answer their questions

What are the tips to select a part-time/full-time doctor for your company?

Following are the tips to select a part-time doctor for your staff.

• Certification from a medical specialty body can indicate a doctor’s qualifications.

• Consider his willingness to work full time or part time.

• If part time, how often he can visit your company in a week on fixed days and time?

• Can your staff consult him in his hospital during an emergency?

• Consider the practice’s location. How far is it from your work place? Is the office convenient to your workers?

• If your worker needs to meet him at his clinic, how long is the average wait for an appointment?

• What are the office hours -- are there evening or weekend appointments available?

• What about appointments for emergencies? Also, find out about his hospital’s admitting privileges for your workers.

• If you prefer a particular hospital in your area, make sure the doctor you want is on its medical staff.

• When you have narrowed your choices down to three or four doctors, call each of them to schedule a brief consultation. Explain that you are looking for a new doctor and would like to meet with him or her personally.

• When you meet the doctor in person, take note of his or her personality and demeanor. Is he or she warm, friendly, approachable? What is the doctor’s philosophy on medical care -- how are patients involved in care decisions?

• If your work place is prone to accidents, find out the doctor’s experience in that area.

After completing this process, one or two candidates will probably stand out as the best choices. Once you’ve made your decision, be sure to find out the procedure for transferring your staff’s medical records to your new doctor. If necessary, ask one of your staff to schedule a visit to the doctor with required records and information.

Vinod Kuriakose

(The writer Vinod Kuriakose can be contacted at feedback2vinod@yahoo.co.uk)