When you’re looking for a new doctor, there are a few things that you should first consider. First, think about the type of doctor that you need. A primary care doctor is key as they will be your main point of contact for all your healthcare needs and will also be able to refer to you to specialists should you require them. Secondly, you’ll want to make sure that they’re within a manageable distance from where you live. Finally, you’ll want to make sure that they fit your own personal criteria – such as being experienced, knowledgeable, having a valid medical license, are able to communicate with you in a way that you feel comfortable with, and have exceptional bedside manner.   It's advisable to get a recommendation from your former primary care doctor if you have one. If you’re moving to a new area, your doctor may have contacts that they can refer you to or know of well-regarded doctors in the area. If not, they’ll most likely be able to provide tools or resources for you to locate a new physician.   Another option is to contact your insurance provider and ask them about available physicians in your area. They will be able to provide you with a list of primary physicians that also accept your current line of coverage. You can do this either over the phone or many insurance companies have available search tools on their website.   If you prefer doing your research solo, you can utilize the web to find available doctors in your area. Tools like the U.S. News Doctor Finder provide information about the best health care providers in the country and will allow you to search doctors by area and specialty. You can also narrow down your results further based on your personal preferences.   Once you’ve found a doctor that meets all your necessary criteria, the next step is to call their facility and book in for an appointment. Most primary care physicians will ask that you come in for an initial appointment where they can gather information about your health, talk to you about your personal health care goals, and establish an initial rapport. This is also your opportunity to ask any questions that you may have and to feel out whether this doctor is the right fit for you.