Primary care doctors are very essential because they support and take care of you when you are not feeling well. Note that all primary care doctors are not the same. They have different education levels and they give different types of care. For instance, children can be taken care of by a pediatrician while adults can be seen by an internist. Alternatively, the whole family can be attended to by a family medical doctor.
Choosing a primary care physician for you or your family is a good step towards taking control of your health care. Your primary care physician choice is crucial because you need someone you can trust and feels comfortable around. If you have moved to anew area or you need to change your physician, listed below are some important clues that will guide you towards making the right choice.
- Insurance plan
It is important to first find out if the physician you want is an “in network.” There are those who might reject your insurance and, in such cases, you will be forced to pay for the services cash. To avoid such shocking surprises, make sure your choice agrees with your insurance plan.
- Their field of specialty
The second most important thing you need to know is the medical field that your choice specializes in. No matter how close you might be to one, do not choose them if they are not specialized in your area of medical need. Below are some major categories that will enlighten you
Pediatricians– There are primary care Naples FL physicians whose care is only focused on children.
Family practice– These are physicians that are specialized in taking care of patients all ages. They treat a wide variety of conditions including sports injuries and women’s health.
General practice– Just like family practice, they treat patients of all ages. They however differ from general physicians because they are specialized in osteopathic which is an alternative type of treatment that focusses on joints, spine and muscles with the intention of improving the function of the body’s circulatory, lymphatic and nervous system.
Internal Medicine – They only treat adults and their specialty is to prevent, diagnose and manage various medical conditions including chronic ones.
- Ask around
If a physician is popular, then they are probably good at what they do. A recommendation from friends or family will be a good option for you to choose from. If you want for instance a primary pediatrician, you can ask your general physician the best recommendation.
- Pay the physician a visit
To blue tick your choice, you need to pay them a visit. From the minute you walk in, you should feel comfortable with the receptionist, the nurses and other staff members. Once you get to meet the physician, you should have a feeling of assurance that you have made the right choice. If your conscience feels right and you are comfortable, then you have no reason to be doubtful if the physician is the right one for you.
