Choosing your family doctor is no simple task. You have to consider insurance, location, and demeanor, just to name a few. Stressed out and plagued by indecision, too many people focus on only one or two of their most important criteria and settle for a family doctor who they find ‘good enough’. But ‘good enough’ is not sufficient. Your family doctor will be with you for years, if not decades. It is absolutely imperative to find someone capable of understanding your specific needs an more. Here are a few things to consider when choosing a family doctor:
Treats All of Your Family Members
Not all doctors share the same expertise. Your family doctor should know how to treat patients of all ages and medical needs. They must understand both pediatric and obstetric care. In this case, book knowledge is an insufficient measure of expertise. Your doctor must connect with you and your family on a personal and empathetic level. Medical issues take physical and psychological form, and your doctor must be able to tend both.
Covered by Your Insurance
Even the best doctor in the world isn’t worth seeing if they’re not covered by your insurance. The exorbitant costs of emergency care alone will empty your wallet. Save yourself the grief of depriving your family’s budget in other areas, and make sure your doctor fits with your plan.
Reasonable Office Hours
What’s the point of having a doctor if you never have time to see them? Compare your doctor’s office hours with your work schedule. Know when your children could go for an appointment outside of school. Without the opportunity to meet with your doctor, you might as well not have one. Even though the office hours may likely be the same as your work hours, it’s important to be able to reschedule appointments in a timely manner if needed, instead of waiting months for another opening.
Well-Prepared and Well-Supplied
More than anything, your family doctor must be able not only to identify your problems, they must be able to address them. Only doctors equipped with the right tools and medical supplies should make it onto your final draft. You must know what supplies your doctor keeps in their office, as well as what they have access to from nearby colleagues or hospitals. Children and adults with special medical needs will require access to medical supplies that may not always be readily available at some locations.
Certified by the American Board of Family Medicine
Some would never think to check this, but don’t be caught unaware. Know whether your potential doctor is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine, or a local organization of equivalent significance.
Your relationship with your family doctor will be the cornerstone of your family’s future health. Make this choice one you won’t regret.
Informational credit to Red Cell Medical Supply, which sells medical supply products including syringes, clamps, female and male luers, tubing and more.
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