A family care physician is a type of primary care physician who delivers preventive care, evaluates symptoms, and provides treatment – even for chronic conditions – to patients of all ages.
A perfect family practice physician provides lifelong, comprehensive care to you and your whole family (toddlers to seniors). That is why choosing a family physician requires lots of forethought and due diligence.
Finding a perfect family practice physician who meets your needs can be very challenging, especially if you didn’t have one before or have moved to a new community.
Let’s talk about some tips to find the perfect family practice physician in The Bronx, NY.
Tip#1 Enlist Your Healthcare Needs
What healthcare problems and conditions are you facing? Are you dealing with any chronic disease? Do you need wellness and preventive care? Do you need care during off-hours? Your answers to these and many other questions can help you determine your needs and find a perfect family practice physician.
It’s better to note down all your and your family’s healthcare needs and keep them in your mind while searching for a family doctor.
Tip#2 Ask Around
A perfect family practice physician is one whose patients trust him/her and recommend him/her to their relatives and friends.
So to find a trustworthy family physician, it’s a good idea to ask for recommendations from your family, friends, and co-workers who have used or are using a family medicine doctor.
You can also get a referral from your other primary care physician, such as an internal medicine provider, pediatrician, OB/GYN, etc.
Note down all the recommendations and referrals in a journal and do some homework before choosing one. You can also add to the list by searching “family practice doctor near me” on search engines like google and Microsoft Edge.
Tip#3 Consider the Experience and Credentials
Yours and our family’s safety, recovery, and overall well-being are too valuable to entrust to the wrong and inexperienced person. So, choose a family physician who has extensive experience not only in diagnosing and treating a wide range of acute as well as chronic conditions but also in providing preventive care.
Plus, make sure that the family medicine doctor you are going to select for your family is board-certified. Board certification indicates that the family medicine doctor has received all the necessary training and skills to administer the best and most compassionate care.
Also, make sure that your potential family medicine doctor has no history of malpractice claims or disciplinary action.
Tip#4 On-site Diagnostic Testing and Screening
We can’t stress enough that a timely diagnosis leads to timely treatment. So, choose a family practice physician who provides on-site screening and diagnostic tests such as x-ray, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computerized tomography (CT), to name a few.
Tip#5 Check Your Insurance Coverage
Insurance is a practical matter that you must consider before choosing a family medicine doctor. This is because going with an out-of-network family practice physician will increase your out-of-pocket cost.
So, it’s a good idea to consider a family doctor who comes under your insurance plan. You can get help from an insurance provider to determine if the potential family doctor you are considering is in your network or not.
Your insurance provider may also provide you with a list of family practice doctors who come under your plan.
Tip#6 Check Patient Reviews
If you are nervous about how the practice operates, be calm and read the online reviews of those who have already signed up for the same practice.
Reading these reviews will give you an idea about family medicine doctors, clinic staff, practice environment, and ease of getting an appointment.
Tip#7 Make an Appointment
If you are still confused and not sure whether a family physician is best for you, make an appointment. When you meet the potential family physician, ask them questions you have in your mind. Notice if the doctor welcomes your question and understandably answers them and if they consider your treatment preference.
One-on-one consultation with the shortlisted family doctors can provide all the necessary information to help you choose the best family doctor that caters to your and your family’s healthcare needs.
Best Family Practice Physician in The Bronx, NY
If you are finding a perfect primary care physician in the Bronx, NY, visit us at Starling Diagnostics.Our highly experienced, trained, and board-certified primary care physicians are committed to providing you with personalized and comprehensive care for allyour primary healthcare needs.
To our patients, we offera broad range of healthcare facilities, including screening, diagnosis, treatment, and preventive care,so they can enjoy their life to their fullest.
To learn more about our comprehensive services or schedule a consultation with us, feel free to call us at (718) 319-1610 or fill out our appointment request form.
