Your primary care physician is not like any ordinary doctor you go to for a specific illness or disease. This individual caters to your daily requirements of a doctor in case of infections, allergies, flu, etc. Over time, your primary care physician understands your medical nuances, reaction to certain medications, and your personal preferences such as lifestyle and stress.
Knowledge of these intricate and intimate aspects helps the doctor reduce your chances of extreme illness and severe diseases. A study revealed that individuals, who regularly visit their primary care physician for health management tend to have a lower risk of heart diseases, cancer, and strokes. In fact, these individuals are expected to have a positive experience of health care as they receive coordinated support from their primary care physicians.
Hence, this article will discuss the factors that can help you decide the right primary care physician for health management.
7 Things to Consider Before Selecting the Right Primary Care Physician
When you are selecting a primary care physician or any other doctor, it is imperative to consider several factors such as location, insurance support, quality, and many more factors. All these factors together act as determinants to help you make the correct choice.
Review these 7 factors given below to understand how you can choose the right primary care physician for health management.
Also Read – Treating Hair Fall in Teenage Girls
Ask Your Family and Friends
The simplest factor to consider is asking your friends and family members for health network referrals. You can find a skilled and educated physician without going through any hassle.
However, it is necessary to note that due to differences in personalities and personal life choices of every individual, their preference of physicians can also vary. Hence, it is best to evaluate the remaining factors given in this article to select the right primary care physician.
Further, while you can always ask your friends and family members for a physician, consider another route too. If you know anyone who is in the medical field such as a nurse or another specialist doctor, ask them for recommendations. Being in the same field, these individuals can give you better advice than friends and family members.
Consider the Location
Since you will be visiting your primary care physician more often than other medical practitioners, it is best to ensure the location of the clinic. It won’t be possible to travel 15 miles to visit the doctor for your daily needs. If you select a primary care physician, who is 15 miles away, you are more likely to skip your appointments.
So, locate a doctor where you can reach with the least commute.
Insurance Coverage
Once you are at this stage, you may have already shortlisted at least 3-5 primary care physicians. Hence, you can move forward by checking the insurance compatibility to narrow down your list.
Just call the physician’s office and ask if they offer insurance coverage. You may be visiting your physician multiple times. So, you don’t want a physician, who doesn’t offer insurance coverage. You may be wasting a lot of money if you go against it.
Quality of the Service
Whenever we hire a professional to execute tasks such as an electrician, we check their quality through various resources to ensure quality work. Similarly, while selecting a primary care physician through health network referrals, check the quality of their work. Search on Google and check the reviews offered by other patients. This would give you a clear idea of the services.
Start with checking medical certification, which you will easily find on the Internet or on the website of the practitioner.
Also Read – Best orthopedic surgeons in Chennai
Education of the Doctor
Don’t overlook this aspect. It is important to check the educational qualifications of the physicians. Ensure that they have completed their residency at a reputable college. It will help you make an informed decision. This is because physicians who have completed their education from a reputable college tend to have enriched hands-on experience in handling varied types of medical situations. Also check the medical certification, which you will easily find on the Internet or on the website of the practitioner.
Hospital Affiliation of the Doctor
Hospital affiliation can be your final deal-breaker. You can check the hospital that has provided affiliation to your physician, based on which you would be able to make the right decision.
Affiliation from a highly ranked hospital means that the physician is well-equipped to handle medical situations without making errors. This also ensures your safety.
Your Requirements
Every patient has unique requirements and medical needs. To cater to these needs, your primary care physician should be well-equipped. For instance, many primary care physicians are known to help sports personalities and others may be known for their guidance related to diabetes.
Based on your personal needs, it is best to look for the specialty of the physician. If you have any underlying health condition, it is best to consult your existing doctor first to understand your requirements.
Conclusion
Before visiting a primary care physician for health management, it is best to gain full knowledge through the above-mentioned methods. Check the qualifications, age, gender, and certification of the doctor. If you are uncomfortable with a physician of a certain gender, filter your search in the starting to avoid the hassle. Finally, if you have any underlying condition such as thyroid, diabetes, etc., consider visiting a specialist for the best care.
Also Read – What Is Pediatric Gynecology? And What They Do?
