How to Choose a Primary Care Physician

Sherril Steele-Carlin

Are you new to the area? Did your long-time family physician retire or move away? You're in the market for a new primary care physician, but you don't know anything about finding a new doctor.

Luckily, there are several agencies that can help you locate just the right doctor in your area.

Statistics from the Midwest Business Group on Health show that in America today, choosing a new physician is a common occurrence, because nearly 50 million households replaced, added, or chose a new physician during the last two years. Finding the right doctor for you and your family is one of the most important ways you can maintain good health, and so, choosing the right doctor is one of the best things you can do for your loved ones.

What Type of Doctor?

You have plenty of choices when you pick a new primary care physician because there are many different types of doctors who can fall into this wide-ranging category. So, the first thing you need to do is narrow down your choices.

There are three main types of primary care physicians, so before you make your final choice, you need to know the right type of doctor for your specific needs. The Family Practitioner is just that, someone who'll treat the entire family. The Internist/Internal Medicine Practitioner is primarily for adults, and may have other specific interests, such as lung, stomach, or other areas of the body. Finally, a Pediatrician is primarily a children's doctor.

Once you know the right type of physician for your needs, you can log on to several web sites that will help you find a physician in your area with the right qualifications.

Ask the Right Questions - Part I

When you look for a primary care physician, it's kind of like looking for a best friend or spouse. You should also feel comfortable with the doctor and his staff. You should also be able to ask questions such as "How do you handle after hours emergencies?" "Can I get an immediate appointment if I'm sick?" and "Do you follow through with exam and test results?" If you have a specific, chronic condition, such as high blood pressure, you should ask, "How do you handle chronic conditions?"

So, after you've met the doctor, asked the right questions, and spoken to a few satisfied patients, check with the local board and make sure your chosen physician is licensed and accredited in your state, and you'll have chosen the best doctor possible for your health care needs. Your family will thank you, and you'll know your family's health care is in the very best hands.

Ask the Right Questions - Part II

Each of these conditions is quite specific to each individual, so you should ask specific questions about your disease. Ask the doctor how often he wants to see you, and what tests should be run? "How can you help me manage my disease?" "What is your goal or objective in managing my disease?" Your health is in the balance, and the right doctor should not have a problem answering your questions, and putting your mind at ease.

Convenience and Health Plans

Of course, another important consideration is how convenient your new doctor's office is to your home or workplace. You also need to make sure the doctor you've chosen is a member of your current health plan. Even if they were listed as one of the member doctors in the literature you received from your plan, you should check just to make sure, because sometimes the literature can be outdated, and physicians have joined or left the plans.

Check With Your Local Medical Board

Once you've chosen a physician, it is a good idea to check his or her reputation and background with your local Medical Board. Each State has a Health Department, and many have online License and Registration searches available. Just search for your prospective doctor's name. Dr. Sandra Fryhofer, Past President of the American College of Physicians says, "You should look for their medical training, board certification, and if they are a member of any professional organization. This shows they care enough to go to the trouble to get that extra certification."