Cnn.com offers an educational section entitled “Empowered Patient,” and one recent article entitled “Five ways to find Dr. Right” highlights the similarities between the relationship with one’s significant other and that of one’s physician. Both are extremely intimate personal interactions, so why would we choose to be with the person who isn’t “the one?”

Dr. Vicki Rackner, a professional patient advocate, states: "I consider the doctor-patient relationship to be as intimate as a life partnership. There are lots of nice people out there, but you would not want to marry most of them." Below are the five ways to find Dr. Right:

1. Date before you get married. Schedule a time to just talk with a new doctor, or go with a problem of limited scope.

2. Check them out on the Internet. There are many web sites that share objective information on doctors – state licensure boards, independent non-profits, health insurance plans, etc.

3. Check out the family. A doctor is sometimes only as good as his or her office staff, physician assistants, etc. It’s vital that you feel comfortable with everyone in the office.

4. Ask your friends to fix you up. Ask a friend who thinks like you do who he or she recommends.

5. Go with your gut. If a new doctor makes you feel uneasy, trust your instincts. You need to have full trust in the person who is responsible for your health.

Please visit the full article, as it offers lengthier explanations for each of the five above suggestions. We all deserve “the one.”