LocateADoc.com - Health Site Guide

www.LocateADoc.com

This Web site describes itself as being “designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her physician.” It adds that the site “is supported by doctors and dentists who seek to meet interested, qualified patients in their area.”

Because most people with health insurance search for physicians on their health plan’s network directory site, LocateADoc.com places emphasis on elective procedures. These treatments and operations, which usually aren’t covered by most plans anyway, include laser eye surgery and cosmetic surgery. Users can browse physicians by Specialty (LASIK and Vision Correction, Plastic Surgeons, Cosmetic Surgeons, Cosmetic Dentists, Hair Restoration Specialists, Infertility Specialists, Bariatric Surgeons, or View All Specialties).

Clicking on one of the above links allows the visitor to select their city and state – including international locations such as Canada, Australia and Mexico – and view all of the participating specialists in that region. One especially useful feature allows site visitors to narrow their search down by procedure.

For example, doing a search by Plastic Surgeon will – in addition to providing the contact information for local providers – allow users to further narrow the search by choosing a subcategory of plastic surgery: Breast Augmentation, Lipoplasty, Tummy Tuck, etc. Links to closely related information are also provided, offering further advice and data on each procedure, a variety of Q&As, and related specialties.

However, visitors do not need to click link after link to find the specific information they are searching for, as the home page itself provides a wealth of options to get visitors off to a fast start on their research. There is a Special Section that provides links to more information on major procedures and special shopping offers, and while there are no videos, there is a truly immense gallery of “Before and After” photos submitted by the providers themselves.

Tabs across the top of the home page allows surfers to research a procedure, recommend a doctor, or even find resources that will help with financing the treatments. In addition, the link to the Wellness Store takes the visitor to a page that offers a variety of products for sale, including nutritional supplements and hair and skin products. The site’s convenience and easy navigation have not gone unnoticed, as the home page bears a “Top Ten Web Site” award from HitWise, which recognized www.LocateADoc.com as the third-most-visited page in the “Health and Medical – Primary and Specialist” category for the July-September 2006 period.