• Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Shop ModernMom
  • Become An Insider

ModernMom

The premiere destination for moms

  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Kids
    • Tweens and Teens
    • ModernMom Monday Videos
  • Cooking
  • Living Healthy
    • Breast Cancer
    • Health & Fitness
    • Body after Baby
    • Beauty
    • Relationships
    • Love
  • Lifestyle
    • Crafts
    • At Home
    • Education
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Decorate
    • Money
    • Brooke Burke
  • Celebrate
    • Holidays
      • Easter
      • Valentine’s Day
      • New Year’s
      • Christmas
      • Hanukah
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
    • Birthdays
    • Parties
  • Must Have
  • Contests
  • Entertainment

How Do I Find a Family Doctor?

January 25, 2011 by ds_283 Leave a Comment

A family doctor is usually the first professional you consult when you need medical care. Family physicians and general practitioners are skilled at diagnosing a range of illnesses and can treat many of a patient’s medical conditions without the need for a specialist’s help. Your family doctor can be a valuable source of information when you have health-related questions. In fact, “family physicians provide the majority of care to the nation’s rural populations,” says Lori Heim, President of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Step 1

Contact a hospital near where you live. Ask if it offers a family practice clinic. Inquire as to whether any of the doctors who practice there are accepting new patients. You can also ask your pharmacist, dentist, ophthalmologist, chiropractor or other people you trust for the names of their family physicians. Another medical authority is apt to know more about a doctor’s reputation by way of a shared professional relationship.

Step 2

Ask around to learn more about a doctor’s reputation. Talk to family members, friends, co-workers, the cashier at the supermarket or your pastor at church. Find out if they are satisfied with the medical care they receive from their family physicians. When someone you know recommends a physician, ask if she has been a patient or knows someone who has.

Step 3

Get more than one person’s opinion about the same doctor. You can learn a lot about a doctor from the personal experiences of others. If you like what you hear, schedule an appointment to find out if a doctor might be a good fit for you.

Step 4

Look for a doctor’s diplomas on the wall at your visit. Choose someone who has extensive experience. Relevant questions you might ask include how long a physician has been in practice and how many patients he has treated and is currently treating.

Step 5

Do your research. Begin by contacting the county medical society for a list of physicians who practice in your area. Check with the American Board of Family Medicine to see if a physician of interest has the appropriate credentials (see Resources). Look for a board-certified physician. A doctor need not be board certified to be a good doctor, yet many physicians become board certified in at least one area of specialty. Consider a physician who is board certified in family medicine.

Step 6

Look for key qualities such as amiability, availability and affordability. Once you have a list of potential doctors, meet with each to decide whether you like the person. You may be relying on this individual often throughout your lifetime, so you need to choose a doctor with whom you can develop a good rapport. Ask if you will be able to see the doctor when you need her. Find out how long you must wait to schedule a routine appointment or wellness visit. Don’t be afraid to discuss fees. Many doctors will try to find ways to help if they know that a patient is experiencing financial difficulties.

Step 7

Get additional pertinent information, including whether a doctor is a member of your health plan. Learn with which hospitals the physician is affiliated and how he handles calls after office hours. If you strongly prefer a physician who is not a direct provider on your health plan and you can afford partial payment, your insurance may still pay a portion of his fee.

Comments

comments

Filed Under: Living Healthy

About ds_283

Amber Keefer has more than 25 years' experience working in the fields of human services and health care administration. Writing professionally since 1997, she has written articles covering health, fitness and women's issues published in Family Digest Magazine, Chicago Parent and Woman's Touch. Keefer holds a B.A. from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania and an M.B.A. in health care management from Baker College.

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Search

Tell a friend

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ModernMom Boutique

ModernMom TV

Featured

Killing Off Supermom

I'll be honest with you. In my house, the beds are rarely … [Read More...] about Killing Off Supermom

Must Have

STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

April has arrived which means it’s time to pull out the food … [Read More...] about STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

Did you know?

cold sore and fever blister remedies

Cold Sore and Fever Blister Remedies

fade hair color quickly

How to Fade Hair Color Quickly

average breast size of a woman

The Average Breast Size of a Woman

Baby Hair Growth

Baby Hair Growth

How to Ask a Guy You Are Seeing Where You Stand

How to Ask a Guy You Are Seeing Where You Stand

abdominal discomfort during first trimester of pregnancy

Abdominal Discomfort During First Trimester of Pregnancy

Quick Ways to Cook a Round Steak

Quick Ways to Cook a Round Steak

Footer

  • About Us
  • Contact ModernMom
  • Advertise With Us
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contributors

Copyright © 2022 Modern Mom. All Rights Reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of this website only at the express permission of Mom, Inc.

The information provided on ModernMom is for educational use only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.