When it comes to your health and well-being, your primary care physician is one of the most important people in your life. That is why it pays to do your homework before making the critical choice of which physician to go with. The good news is you can find the most crucial factors you’ll need to consider when making your choice below. Just read on to find out what they are.
Opening Hours
First of all, before, you do anything else, be sure to look at the opening hours for the office of the primary care physician you are considering. After all, it doesn’t matter if they are the best doctor on Earth if you can never get to see them.
Location
The next consideration to be aware of is the location of the primary care physician’s office you are considering. This is because if they are too far away or too tricky to get to, it will make seeing them much more complicated, something that can further inconvenience you when you are ill. Ideally, you’ll want a doctor’s office that is within a 10 min drive of your home or work.
Adoption of Technology
Another factor to look out for when choosing a primary care physician is whether they are good at adopting technology that benefits their patients. We’re not just talking about medical equipment here either, but technology such as telehealth services, and the use of a virtual administrative assistant which can help a practice run more efficiently and smoothly. All of which will ultimately benefit the patient and ensure the best quality care promptly.
Gender
While we live, largely in an age of gender equality, many people still feel more comfortable being examined by a doctor of the same gender. With that in mind, it’s worthwhile checking that the primary care physician’s office that you are considering has enough to make getting an appointment with a physician of the same gender as us.
Bedside Manner / Reputation
Before choosing any vital service including those of a primary care physician, checking on their reputation is vital. Happily, it’s now much easier to discover the reputation of a medical professional by using online methods. Often you will be able to find independent reviews online that will tell you what you need to know, including what you can expect from their bedside manner.
Related Posts
Approach To Mental Health
Last of all, before picking a primary care physician, it’s a good idea to investigate what their approach is to mental health issues. Indeed even if you are currently not suffering from mental health issues, it’s worth noting that 1 out of every three people will in their lifetime.
Good questions to ask here include how they would treat a patient reporting symptoms consistent with anxiety, depression, or PTSD. It’s also sensible to ask how a practice would deal with someone exhibiting chronic pain. Look out for answers that seem as if they could be sexist, or discriminatory based on race. Practices that offer psychological support such as CBT along with/ or instead of long-term medication use are also a good sign.
