When it comes to your health, finding the right primary care physician is essential. A good doctor can help you make informed decisions about preventative and medical care, as well as provide support during difficult times.
To ensure you are getting the best possible healthcare experience, here are seven tips for picking a great primary care physician:
1. Do Your Research
Before making an appointment with any potential physicians, do some research on their background and credentials. Make sure they have the proper licensure in your state or province, and check out online reviews from past patients to get an idea of how satisfied others are with their services before committing to them as your doctor.
2. Check Their Availability
It’s important that a primary care physician has availability when you need them most, such as for same-day appointments for urgent needs.Some primary care doctors have a wait list of patients and can’t see patients for several days or weeks. If this is the case with a doctor you are considering, it’s best to look elsewhere. Primary care should be convenient and accessible, so you can make the most of it.
3. Get Referrals From Friends and Family
Ask people who live near you which doctors they see regularly for routine checkups or illnesses — those referrals could lead you straight to a great doctor’s office. If no one close by knows anyone personally, then use sites like Google, Yelp, Health grades, Vitals, and Zocdoc among other reliable sources where users rate providers based on personal experiences, which can act as helpful indicators while searching for someone suitable.
4. Consider Insurance Coverage
Be aware of your insurance plan’s coverage policies before settling on a particular provider. If you choose a provider who isn’t covered by your insurance plan, you will have to pay out-of-pocket for appointments and services. This can add up to hefty bills pretty quickly.The best thing to do is go with a doctor you insurance policy covers. That way, you don’t have to end up paying for appointments.
5. Check Their Location
Choose a primary care physician who is easy to get to for appointments. Patients are supposed to see their primary care doctor frequently, essentially every time they have a health issue. If you choose a doctor who is located far from your home or work, it can be a source of contention and discourage you from seeing them as often as you should.
6. Consult With Potential Doctors Before Making A Decision
Schedule a meet and greet or consultation with each doctor you are considering. Seeing them face to face is a great way to find the best doctor for you.This will allow you to learn more details about the practice, the staff, and the doctor. Make sure to ask a lot of questions and assess the cleanliness of the practice, friendliness of the staff, and bedside manner and communication skills of the physician.
7. Check The Doctor’s Combability With You
When meeting with physicians, try gauging how they choose to practice medicine by asking questions regarding their approach to diagnosis and treatment, preventive care, immunizations, and lifestyle changes for better health. Ask about what kinds of conditions they most often treat, what kind of services and treatment they offer patients, and how they keep up with advancements in medicine. The goal is to single out a doctor who engages with you properly, answers all your questions well, and has a good conversation with you that makes you feel heard, respected, and cared for.
Experienced Primary Care Physician in The Bronx, NY
Starling Diagnostics is a premier primary care services provider in The Bronx. We can help you heal and recover from acute illnesses and injuries, manage chronic diseases, and guide you to make healthy lifestyle changes to improve your quality of life. We also offer on-site diagnostics for your greater convenience and timely care.
We happily serve the Parkchester community and the surrounding areas. To schedule an appointment with one of our primary care physicians, call our office today at (718) 319-1610, or use our convenient online request form.
