How do you find a good specialist, other than by word-of-mouth? (doctor, aching)

[Visit a Library]

I've been to two specialist that were recommended to me: one totally misdiagnosed me, the other wants to conduct further study even though we've identified the problem and the test he wants to conduct is something I'm not comfortable with and he couldn't be bothered to fully explain why I need it in the first place. I want to see a third specialist but I've run out of recommendations by word-of-mouth.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Whose word of mouth? Did you ask your doctor? Best is to ask a doctor whom you both like and respect.

Also, some magazines rate/report on the "best" doctors in various fields. If you live in a small place, there may not be any nearby. Another choice is to ask for a referral to a teaching hospital, also usually in larger cities.

[lubby]

I usually ask my primary care doctor for specialist recommendations. So far everyone he's recommended to us has been great. the only specialsit I did not get a recommendation for was my podiatrist, I took a gamble and found him in the phone book and he's great.

[Visit a Library]

One recommendation came from my primary physician. The other came from a relative who recommended a particular doctor because she'd seem him previously based on a recommendation from her cardiologist.