The doctor is in -- at least for a few minutes

How do Americans choose a primary care doctor? Actually, pretty wisely.

Consumers look for professional skill and office management (hours appointments are available, etc.) as key deciding factors, according to a 2000 study in the Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice. But the study also found that consumers don’t always have access to information about doctors they may need to make a decision.

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services provides a checklist and evaluation form (that you can print out) and online resources to help with the task of vetting a doctor.

But what about a quick meet-up to help decide? The South Florida Sun-Sentinel examines a novel approach to doctor selection in “Patients seek perfect medical match in ‘speed dating’ for cardiologist.”

--Mary Forgione / For the Los Angeles Times