Finding a doctor is a task that shouldn't be taken lightly. After all, we're talking about choosing someone who'll be in charge of overseeing your health, well-being, and possibly even your life. And with several other factors (i.e. insurance, location, specialty, etc.) coming into play, the act finding a doctor isn't just challenging, it can get complicated.

Thankfully, there's a new startup in town called BetterDoctor that aims to make the physician selecting process a whole lot easier. It's a service that allows you to get important doctor information including specialty, accepted insurance plans, patient feedback, and availability all in one place.

Simply head over to BetterDoctor.com and you could find a new doctor in minutes. Just click on a specialty (i.e. General Practitioners, Pediatricians, Obstetricians / Gynecologists, Dentists, Optometrists), select your health insurance plan from a drop-down list, indicate your location, and BetterDoctor will generate a list of physicians the meet your criteria.

Once you select a doctor from the list, the site will take you to the physician's profile which will you give you an overview of what he or she is all about. The doctor's page contains a short bio, the clinic's address, and more importantly, patient reviews. All this information will certainly make your decision a whole lot easier, and if you like what you see, you'll be able to access the doctor's contact info with a click of a button.

What's great about the service is that BetterDoctor doesn't just recommend any physician. All the doctors in their database have been screened and analyzed based on high patient ratings, medical license status, and malpractice claim screenings.

Worried about your privacy? Don't be. BetterDoctor uses a "blank-level data security to encrypt all user data." And while Facebook is used to login and authenticate your account, BetterDoctor will never post anything to the social network without your permission.

Another good thing about having a BetterDoctor account is that it allows you to save your doctors. This way, you'll be able to easily access their contact information wherever you are.

About the Company

BetterDoctor is the brainchild of Ari Tulla, who in 2011, was having a difficult time selecting a doctor. According to Tulla, "The healthcare system works well when you are well, but once an illness hits, you are in trouble. In the current system it's very hard to find a doctor who has Dr. House's flash diagnoses skills and a team with unlimited resources to help you out." Indeed.

Tulla then decided to brainstorm for solutions and he soon formed a dedicated team composed of individuals who also wanted to create a tool that would make finding a doctor so much simpler. The rest, as they say, is history.

At present, BetterDoctor is in beta mode and is only available in the San Francisco Bay Area. With the site's excellent concept though, I can't imagine it being in beta mode for too long, so be sure to check back often to see if the service is already available in your area.