Support Us Button Widget
Sponsored Content

#Asked: What questions do you have when looking for a physician?

Sponsored by
Young Woman with Doctor

Photo provided by Lakeland Regional Health

It’s inevitable – we all get sick sometimes. From dealing with day-to-day stressors to coming in contact with other kids at daycare to the forecasted flu season, there will often be a time in your life where you need to connect with someone in the medical field.

But perhaps you’ve recently switched jobs or insurance providers, or you’ve got something going on that your primary care provider is not equipped to handle. Or you may be new to Lakeland and in need of a local primary care doc or specialist. So, we want to know:

What do you look for in a healthcare provider?
What questions do you have when you’re searching for a new physician?
What do you want to know to make the shopping process easier?

We’ll compile your questions into a follow-up story with answers from the experts at Lakeland Regional Health that just may help when you have to start your own healthcare provider search.

To get you thinking (and set you up for success) here are a few #protips for when you’re on the hunt, provided by Lakeland Regional Health Physician Group:

  • Inquire about the practice’s hours and how after-hours queries are handled.
  • Schedule an interview/consultation, if the physician offers one. (For instance, LRH offers free 15-minute meet-and-greet consultations with its Pediatricians.)
  • Ask for names of patients willing to share their experiences with the practice.
  • See more tips in our follow-up story.

Send us your questions in an email – just click the button below (feel free to request anonymity). We’ll do our best to help make the medical search easier in Lakeland.

Send us all your healthcare shopping questions

More from LALtoday
Polk Vision published the assessment in June 2025 after 18 months of data collection.
Take a bite of Lakeland’s past at these restaurants that have stood the test of time.
It’s your party and you’ll enjoy these deals if you want to.
Dive into how nearly a century and a half of history is kept alive with historical markers around town.
This list of volunteer opportunities in Lakeland includes everything from packing food for children in need to fostering pets.
Millions of years ago, marine animals, mammals, and reptiles called Florida home. Learn about five whose fossils have been found in the Bone Valley area of Polk County.
Prepare for fall weather in Lakeland, Florida with these seasonal temperature and precipitation outlooks.
This city boasts top-ranked medical providers and specialty services. Our comprehensive guide will help you find the care you need — whether you’re new to town or just looking around.
We’re here to make your flying process plane and simple.
The store finds vacant retail spaces and signs temporary leases to set up shop leading up to Halloween — but locations can change each year.