Finding a Physician that is Right for You!

A lot of factors go in to finding the right physician. One of the factors is at which hospitals the physician works. Here at Texas Health Fort Worth there is a rigorous credentialing process that the physician goes through. The physician completes an application and privilege card listing the types of procedures/treatments they would like to do at the hospital.

Once the application is received in the Medical Affairs Office then all of the information from their medical school forward is verified from the primary source. This verification includes every hospital where they have practiced, any extra training programs, peer references, time spent away from the practice, and a case log from the last two (2) years showing what procedures/illnesses they have performed/treated. In order to be sure that the physician is qualified to perform the procedures or treat the disease processes they are requesting, a copy of the physician’s privilege card is sent along with the request to verify that they are competent.

Questions are asked about the physician’s:
• Basic medical knowledge
• Professional judgment
• Clinical competence
• Technical skill
• Ethical conduct
• Cooperation/ability to get along with others
• Timely response to patient care needs
• Patient management
• Relationship with patient/patient’s family
• Relationship with nursing/hospital staff

Once all of these questions are answered and it is determined that the physician is competent then the physician is allowed to practice at THFW.

If you want to find a physician that is right for you, I encourage you to go here.

And if you want more information – such as what insurance they take, hours, locations, etc. you may contact Well Call – 1-888-442-7747.

Another good source of information on physicians is the Texas Medical Board. Individuals can chose to look up information on their physician. The profile will list where the physician practices, where they went to school and whether there have been any sanctions against the physician’s license. That website can be accessed at: http://www.tmb.state.tx.us/

It is important that you find the right physician for you. Take advantage of the opportunities you have to find the physician that you can have a long-standing relationship with.

- Dr. Karen Reed
Director of Medical Affairs