--- title: "How to find the right doctor for you at Sutter Health" description: "Looking for a doctor? To get the care you need, ask yourself these questions to find a primary care doctor who is right for you." url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/tips-for-choosing-doctor" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Patient resources](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources) / 3. How to find the right doctor for you # How to find the right doctor for you **Section menu** - [Patient resources](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources "Patient resources") - [Billing and Insurance](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/billing-and-insurance "Billing and Insurance") - [Bioethics services](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/bioethics-services "Bioethics services") - [Bioethics team](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/bioethics-services/team "Bioethics team") - [Pacific Employment Program](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/pacific-employment-program "Pacific Employment Program") - [Sutter Care Management](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/sutter-care-management "Sutter Care Management") - [Classes and events](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/classes-events "Classes and events") - [Flu and COVID-19 resources](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/flu-and-covid-19-resources "Flu and COVID-19 resources") - [Health Education Resource Centers](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/health-education-resource-centers "Health Education Resource Centers") - [Language assistance](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/language-assistance "Language assistance") - [My Health Online](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online "My Health Online") - [Help center](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center "Help center") - [Account and technical FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/account-technical-questions "Account and technical FAQs") - [Billing and insurance FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/billing-and-insurance-questions "Billing and insurance FAQs") - [Care and clinical FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/care-and-clinical-questions "Care and clinical FAQs") - [Emmie - AI assistant FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/emmie-ai-assistant-questions "Emmie - AI assistant FAQs") - [Sansum patients FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/sansum-patients "Sansum patients FAQs") - [Video Visit FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/video-visit-questions "Video Visit FAQs") - [Register for delivery](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/delivery-pre-register "Register for delivery") - [How to enroll](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/enroll "How to enroll") - [Proxy access](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/proxy-access "Proxy access") - [My Health Online teen enrollment](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/teen-enrollment "My Health Online teen enrollment") - [On-demand video visit waiting room](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/odvv-waiting-room "On-demand video visit waiting room") - [Patient and Family Advisory Councils](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/patient-advisory-council "Patient and Family Advisory Councils") - [Privacy](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy "Privacy") - [Notice of privacy practices](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/hipaa-privacy "Notice of privacy practices") - [Patient rights and responsibilities](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/patient-rights-and-responsibilities "Patient rights and responsibilities") - [Privacy policy](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/privacy-policy "Privacy policy") - [Secure Health Information Exchange FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/health-information-exchange "Secure Health Information Exchange FAQs") - [Terms of Use](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/terms-of-use "Terms of Use") - [Records planning](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning "Records planning") - [Advance Health Care Directive](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning/advance-directive "Advance Health Care Directive") - [End of Life Option](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning/end-of-life-option "End of Life Option") - [Request Medical Records](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning/request-medical-records "Request Medical Records") - [Remington Lab](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory "Remington Lab") - [Clinician Information](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/clinician-information "Clinician Information") - [FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/frequently-asked-questions "FAQs") - [Patient Information](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/patient-information "Patient Information") - [Remington Lab Tests Menu and Information](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/serology-tests "Remington Lab Tests Menu and Information") - [Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy Services](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/spiritual-care-and-chaplaincy-services "Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy Services") - [Patient resources](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources "Patient resources") - [Billing and Insurance](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/billing-and-insurance "Billing and Insurance") - [Bioethics services](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/bioethics-services "Bioethics services") - [Bioethics team](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/bioethics-services/team "Bioethics team") - [Pacific Employment Program](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/pacific-employment-program "Pacific Employment Program") - [Sutter Care Management](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/sutter-care-management "Sutter Care Management") - [Classes and events](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/classes-events "Classes and events") - [Flu and COVID-19 resources](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/flu-and-covid-19-resources "Flu and COVID-19 resources") - [Health Education Resource Centers](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/health-education-resource-centers "Health Education Resource Centers") - [Language assistance](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/language-assistance "Language assistance") - [My Health Online](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online "My Health Online") - [Help center](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center "Help center") - [Account and technical FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/account-technical-questions "Account and technical FAQs") - [Billing and insurance FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/billing-and-insurance-questions "Billing and insurance FAQs") - [Care and clinical FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/care-and-clinical-questions "Care and clinical FAQs") - [Emmie - AI assistant FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/emmie-ai-assistant-questions "Emmie - AI assistant FAQs") - [Sansum patients FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/sansum-patients "Sansum patients FAQs") - [Video Visit FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/help-center/video-visit-questions "Video Visit FAQs") - [Register for delivery](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/delivery-pre-register "Register for delivery") - [How to enroll](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/enroll "How to enroll") - [Proxy access](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/proxy-access "Proxy access") - [My Health Online teen enrollment](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/teen-enrollment "My Health Online teen enrollment") - [On-demand video visit waiting room](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/odvv-waiting-room "On-demand video visit waiting room") - [Patient and Family Advisory Councils](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/patient-advisory-council "Patient and Family Advisory Councils") - [Privacy](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy "Privacy") - [Notice of privacy practices](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/hipaa-privacy "Notice of privacy practices") - [Patient rights and responsibilities](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/patient-rights-and-responsibilities "Patient rights and responsibilities") - [Privacy policy](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/privacy-policy "Privacy policy") - [Secure Health Information Exchange FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/health-information-exchange "Secure Health Information Exchange FAQs") - [Terms of Use](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/privacy/terms-of-use "Terms of Use") - [Records planning](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning "Records planning") - [Advance Health Care Directive](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning/advance-directive "Advance Health Care Directive") - [End of Life Option](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning/end-of-life-option "End of Life Option") - [Request Medical Records](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/records-planning/request-medical-records "Request Medical Records") - [Remington Lab](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory "Remington Lab") - [Clinician Information](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/clinician-information "Clinician Information") - [FAQs](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/frequently-asked-questions "FAQs") - [Patient Information](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/patient-information "Patient Information") - [Remington Lab Tests Menu and Information](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/remington-laboratory/serology-tests "Remington Lab Tests Menu and Information") - [Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy Services](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/spiritual-care-and-chaplaincy-services "Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy Services") When choosing a doctor, there’s a lot to consider. A good place to start is with the basics — take a look at the doctor’s training, experience and areas of professional interest. Another basic qualification is to make sure your doctor accepts your health plan. Beyond that, how do you find a doctor who’s right for you? Here are some questions to ask yourself when choosing a new doctor. ### Are you looking for a primary care doctor? One of the best ways to make sure you’re getting excellent healthcare is to have a primary care doctor (also known as a primary care physician or PCP). Your primary care doctor can get to know you over the long term, understands your medical background and knows when it’s best to refer you to a specialist. Traditionally, [primary care](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/primary-care) doctors fall into three specialties – [family medicine](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/family-medicine) (treating patients of all ages), [internal medicine](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/internal-medicine) (treating adult patients) or [pediatrics](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/childrens-health) (treating children from birth through adolescence). ### Do you need flexible appointment times? Although most doctor appointments are scheduled during weekdays, a growing number of doctors are offering appointments outside of regular business hours. In some cases you can book an appointment early in the morning, later in the evening or on a weekend. If that flexibility is important to you, look for a doctor who offers extended or flexible hours. You can call the doctor’s office or find your local care center hours. ### Is there a hospital or care center close to home or work? You might want to find a doctor who can see you at a care center that’s conveniently located close to home or work. Other care options include [Sutter Walk-In Care](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-location-results?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_locationType%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Walk-In+Care%22%5D%7D%5D&staticFilters=%5B%7B%22displayName%22%3A%22Open+Now%22%2C%22selected%22%3Atrue%2C%22filter%22%3A%7B%22kind%22%3A%22fieldValue%22%2C%22fieldId%22%3A%22builtin.hours%22%2C%22matcher%22%3A%22%24openAt%22%2C%22value%22%3A%22now%22%7D%7D%5D&verticalKey=healthcare_facilities) for common illnesses, and [Sutter Urgent Care](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-location-results?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_locationType%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Urgent+Care%22%5D%7D%5D&staticFilters=%5B%7B%22displayName%22%3A%22Open+Now%22%2C%22selected%22%3Atrue%2C%22filter%22%3A%7B%22kind%22%3A%22fieldValue%22%2C%22fieldId%22%3A%22builtin.hours%22%2C%22matcher%22%3A%22%24openAt%22%2C%22value%22%3A%22now%22%7D%7D%5D&verticalKey=healthcare_facilities) and [emergency care](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-location-results?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_locationType%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Emergency+Room%22%5D%7D%5D&staticFilters=%5B%7B%22displayName%22%3A%22Open+Now%22%2C%22selected%22%3Atrue%2C%22filter%22%3A%7B%22kind%22%3A%22fieldValue%22%2C%22fieldId%22%3A%22builtin.hours%22%2C%22matcher%22%3A%22%24openAt%22%2C%22value%22%3A%22now%22%7D%7D%5D&verticalKey=healthcare_facilities) for serious or life-threatening conditions. ### Do you want online services? If you choose a Sutter doctor who participates in [My Health Online](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online), you can access a variety of online services. My Health Online lets you book appointments, view test results, renew prescriptions and email your doctor from your computer, smartphone or tablet. You can also book a [video visit](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-care/video-visits) with your provider or a Sutter Walk-In Care clinician for nonurgent health concerns. To see if a doctor offers online services, visit [find a doctor](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider) and filter by clinicians who offer online scheduling. ### Are you more comfortable with a male or a female doctor? Discussing health issues and treatments can be a very personal experience. It’s important that you’re comfortable talking to your doctor about any medical situation that may come up. Deciding whether you prefer a male or female doctor can ensure that you’re as comfortable as possible. ### Do you have any language requirements? It’s important for you and your doctor to be able to communicate clearly without any language barriers. Choosing a doctor who speaks your native language will help ensure good communication. You can usually find languages spoken (and level of fluency) on your doctor’s profile, where you can also learn about their medical training and philosophy of care. ### Do you need a doctor who specializes in a certain type of medicine? When choosing a specialist, it’s a good idea to make sure the doctor is covered under your insurance plan. If you have an HMO plan, you’ll probably need a referral or authorization from your primary care doctor before scheduling a visit with a specialist. Need a primary care doctor? 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