Scouting the Field - Finding the Right Doctor

EPISODE 1 — Finding a doctor shouldn’t feel like a full-contact sport, but for women in the U.S. healthcare system, it often does. In this episode, Rebecca Bloom (attorney, advocate, and author of “When Women Get Sick”) helps us break down how to choose the right doctor, what “in-network” really means, and the exact questions to ask before your first appointment. Consider this your step-by-step playbook for finding a physician who advocates for you and passes the vibe check.

In this episode, we walk you through these key topics:

• Best resources and platforms for finding doctors (e.g., ZocDoc, insurer websites, referrals)
• How to verify credentials and read patient reviews critically
• Factors to consider beyond reviews: location, hospital affiliation, virtual capacity, relational style
• Developing questions to ask during your first appointment to assess compatibility
• How in-network vs. out-of-network factors impact access and costs
• Building relationships with your care team, including nurses and patient navigators

Explore more episodes and get the full breakdown including show notes, tactics, resources, and complete transcript at womenshealthplaybook.com.