One of the vital roles of a primary care physician is keeping you healthy and protected against diseases. Your primary care doctor can help ensure you are not at high risk of health problems by examining and reviewing your medical records to identify and address any potential risk factors you may be facing. Moreover, your doctor offering primary care South Charleston services may vaccinate you so you avoid easily catching diseases. Other important disease prevention strategies may involve regular health checkups to allow early detection of health issues and advising you to adopt healthy lifestyle choices.
You may also go to your primary care physician if you have a sudden injury or condition that does not pose a chronic health issue. For instance, you may want to see your primary care doctor if you have a cough or sprained ankle from playing a sport.
You can also be the right patient of a primary care doctor if you need professional management of long-term health problems such as asthma and diabetes.
Because of the importance of a primary care provider, you should know how to find the right one. Subsequently, below are a few tips to help you find the right primary care physician.
- Choose an in-network doctor
Health insurance plans often negotiate and provide discounted services with specific primary care physicians or clinics in your location.
A primary healthcare giver who accepts your health insurance plan is described as an in-network provider. And primary care doctors that do not take your health insurance plan are out-of-network providers.
If you go to a healthcare provider or hospital that your health insurance company does not contract, you will have to incur all the expenses from your pocket.
- The expertise of the doctor
Ensure that your primary care doctor’s specialization meets your specific health needs.
For instance, you may choose a doctor who is specialized in family practice. A family doctor has the training and expertise to diagnose, treat, and manage numerous illnesses and conditions affecting patients of all genders and ages. Therefore, you, your kids, and your partner can see the same family doctor.
On the other hand, an internal medicine doctor deals with diagnosing, preventing, managing, and treating chronic diseases and conditions.
- Look for recommendations
You can request your family member, friend, or workmate to recommend a primary care physician. Sometimes, you may feel more comfortable dealing with a doctor that your family member or friend has interacted with in the past in a positive way.
You can also check online reviews and ratings of a hospital or a primary care physician to determine if it can take care of your health needs professionally.
- Location of the doctor
The primary care doctor you choose should be in a location you can conveniently access. For instance, check if the doctor is accessible from your home or workplace.
Also, consider communication language and visit the office to gauge the professionalism exhibited. For instance, in terms of language, the doctor should be able to communicate clearly and simply in your language.
Contact Patel & Patel, M.D., Inc. today to schedule an appointment with a specialist in primary care and learn more about the services provided.
