If you’re struggling with skin issues like eczema or psoriasis, are working your way through a cancer diagnosis and treatment, or are living with diabetes, chances are you’ll need to select a good professional health care team. Remember that your doctors and nurses are some of the most important people you can have on your side right now. So it’s worth your time to spend a few minutes getting clear on what’s important to you in a physician.

The Mayo Clinic conducted research involving 192 patients and concluded that according to patient expectations, the ideal doctor is:

Confident
Empathetic
Humane
Personal
Forthright
Respectful
Thorough

Consider how these traits stack up for you. Which ones are priorities and which are less important? Is it necessary that your doctor listens well or would you feel more comfortable with someone who shares a wealth of information at every appointment? Do you want an oncologist who is aggressive about fighting cancer with the most up-to-date treatments, or someone who takes a more wholistic approach that works with the body’s natural pace of healing? Do you want someone whose opinion you can defer to, or do you need a doctor who encourages you to decide what’s best for you? These are really important things to know about yourself so that you can put together a health care team you trust.

Remember, your doctors always work for you. If you’re unhappy with the treatment or expertise you are getting, keep looking until you find a physician who’s a better match for your needs.

Bonus tip: If you have to see a specialist, make sure he or she is board certified. In the U.S., once physicians are licensed, they can claim to be specialists in any field, whether or not they’ve had specific training. Board certification means that the physician has had proper training in his or her stated field of expertise. Here are a few websites where you can look for qualifications on your doctor of choice: the American Board of Medical Specialties, HealthGrades.com, and Docfinder.