If you find yourself without a family doctor, it’s time to get busy and choose the best one for you and your loved ones. Don’t make the decision blindly. Instead, follow these tips to pick a doctor who you can have a positive and effective long-term physician-patient relationship with and achieve your best health through.
What is a Family Physician?
A family physician provides a wide range of diagnostic and treatment services for people of all ages. Serving young children to senior adults, a family doctor is the first and best contact a patient has for comprehensive medical care.
Family doctors focus on preventive medical care along with treatment of acute injuries and conditions, as well as chronic problems such as diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis. Family doctors keep patient health records and coordinate care in the event of a hospitalization, emergency, or need for specialty care outside the practice.
In short, a family physician gets to know you and your loved ones well. They are an advocate and a provider for your best and most complete health care for years to come.
Tips for Choosing a New Family Doctor
Get a personal referral.
Ask family members, trusted friends, and co-workers which physicians they see and like. Usually, if people really enjoy the services provided and the rapport they have with their own family physicians, they will readily give you their contact information. Ask what they specifically like about the physician, the practice environment, and the support staff.
Do some homework.
Go online to your prospective physician’s website. Does it provide contact information and details about the doctor’s credentials, experience, and services? Do they practice alone, or are there partner physicians along with a support staff of assistants, nurses, or physician assistants? Look into board certification by visiting the American Board of Medical Specialties online at www.certificationmatters.org.
Consider your personality and other factors, too.
Some people are uncomfortable with opposite sex providers. If this sounds like you, eliminate the doctors who don’t line up with your preferences. Also, call to find out if the physician is accepting new patients – some family physicians may not have the capacity to take on new patients immediately.
Also, how far are you willing to travel for an appointment? Is a 30-minute trip too long? Do you want someone in your immediate community? Is there ample, free parking? If you have mobility issues, are there accessibility arrangements? All of these factors are important for your experience when visiting your doctor – that’s why you should consider them before making a decision.
Ask about insurance and payment options.
Does the doctor accept your insurance? Are they an in-network provider? What out of pocket costs will you have? Make sure to check all of this information before settling for a doctor, otherwise you will end up with hefty medical bills later on down the road.
What on-site services are offered?
If you wish to cut down on your trips from facility to facility, ask if the family doctor has on-site X-ray and lab services. Also, is the medical facility itself run efficiently? Are phone calls answered quickly and appointments begun on time? All of these will impact your experience every time you need to see the doctor or get a medical need taken care of.
