How to Find a Diabetes Specialist

Hearing that you've been diagnosed with diabetes for the first time is a difficult and painful experience. You probably have dozens of questions and concerns, and you need a physician who can answer your questions and address your concerns with the most recent information about diabetes care and treatment available. Your primary physician may not be the best person to talk to. In many situations, it may be best for you to talk with a diabetes specialist.

Instructions

• 1

  Schedule an appointment with your primary physician to discuss your options. Your primary physician may refer you to a specific specialist. If not, you will have to use the information they give you to conduct the search yourself.

• 2

  Make a list of diabetes specialists in your area. There are multiple ways to go about getting these names. One way is through your local office for the American Diabetes Association. This will be listed in your local yellow pages under "Diabetes Organizations." Request a copy of their referral list for diabetes specialists in your area. Another way is to call the American Association of Diabetes Educators at [phone]. Request their listing for diabetes specialists near you. You can also visit the National Committee for Quality Assurance's clinician directory and search, located in the resource section below, to search for diabetes specialists in your area.

• 3

  Call your insurance company. Your insurance company can help you shorten your list to only the diabetes specialists near you that are covered by your current insurance policy.

• 4

  Talk with any friends or family members who have also been diagnosed with diabetes. Ask each person whether they have experience with any of the specialists that you are choosing from.

• 5

  Meet with a few of the specialists. Your final decision should come down to more than just names on a paper. To control your diabetes, a specialist that you trust and are comfortable with is a must.