12 Things To Consider When Looking For A Family Doctor

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For everyone, a family is everything, and there’s nothing more important than making sure that every family member is well and healthy. With this in mind, it’s best to have your own family doctor to address your family’s health needs.

Basically, a family doctor is a physician dedicated to treating the whole family. When compared to some specialists, family care doctors treat every disease in both genders, regardless of one’s age. The other duties of a family doctor include the following:

  • Provides screening tests and immunizations
  • Performs health-risk assessments and comprehensive wellness exams
  • Treats and diagnoses illness
  • Provides personalized counseling
  • Maintains, records, and collects patient information

Those are just some of the many responsibilities of a family doctor Idaho Falls or any part of the world. If you want to hire one for your family, here are the things you should consider:

  1. Years Of Experience

When it comes to treating or preventing health conditions, the experience of a family doctor matters. The more experience a doctor has in the field of family medicine, the better results you can expect.

To know about the doctor’s years of experience, ask about how long they’ve been practicing family medicine. If you’re suffering from a certain health condition, you should also ask the doctor about their experience in treating or diagnosing your condition. If you have to undergo a specific procedure, ask the number of procedures the doctor has done and know the complication rates.

  1. Your Family’s Health Needs

Several doctors develop practices, which only focus on particular groups of patients. For this reason, you might feel more comfortable with doctors who have many patients like you. For example, other kinds of doctors see more young kids and families, and some of them deliver babies as well. If you plan to settle down and start your own family, you might want to choose a family doctor who’s child-centered.

There are also instances that some family doctors treat seniors. If you’re getting on in years, you might like a doctor who’s willing to do home visits for elderly patients.

As you look around, you’ll also encounter medical teams with links to some essential health-related services, which may include occupational therapists, dietitians, social workers, and addiction counseling. Usually, the extra services may depend on the needs of the community.

Other family doctors are also closely connected to some teaching hospitals that may put you in touch with innovative and new therapies. However, it’s essential to note that you’ll be likely examined by medical residents and students in clinics that are affiliated with particular hospitals and universities.

So, make sure to prioritize your health needs for you to know what type of family doctor you should hire.

  1. Credentials

One of the things to consider when looking for a family doctor is board certification. It tells you that your preferred family doctor has the necessary experience, skills, and training to provide family medicine-related services. Moreover, confirm that the doctor doesn’t have any disciplinary action or malpractice claims.

If you want to check your doctor’s disciplinary and malpractice history, certifications, training hospital, and medical school, you can browse them on state websites.

  1. Access To Care

You might have the best family doctor, but it’ll be useless if you can’t even get an appointment whenever you need one.

If your work schedule is quite rigid, it can make your access concerns even worse. But, several doctors’ offices have weekend and evening clinics, or hold open a particular number of appointments daily for urgent cases. You may also get an idea of how easy it is to set an appointment by calling the receptionist of the doctor, and ask regarding the after-hours clinics and the possibility to get a next-day or same-day booking.

Doctors who work in teams or groups can take turns covering for one another. This kind of approach can make it much easier for the patients to receive timely care. However, it may also mean that you might always see your doctor, most particularly when you prefer an after-hours clinic.

Although some patients don’t care about having appointments with other doctors, it may not be a good option for you if you feel uncomfortable about it and want to get more time with your doctor.

  1. Gender

It’s crucial to feel comfortable with the gender of your preferred family doctor because you’ll have to openly discuss your personal information with them. So, consider gender if it makes a difference to you, and whether or not you might feel awkward in front of a doctor of a particular gender.

  1. Location

Take note that you might often need to see your family doctor when you or one of your family members is sick. If you’re in pain or you don’t feel well, it would be best to choose a family doctor that’s just a few minutes or an hour drive from your home. With this in mind, you can guarantee that you’ll get your required healthcare needs as soon as possible.

  1. Communication Style

Pick a family doctor with whom you’re comfortable talking and who supports your unique information needs. During the first meeting with your doctor, don’t forget to ask as many questions as you want, and observe how they respond to your concerns or questions. If possible, stick with the one who shows interest to know more about you and your family’s health, considers your preferences or needs when it comes to treatments, and respects your decision-making process.

  1. Hospital Affiliation

Another thing to consider when searching for a family doctor is hospital affiliation. It’s vital, especially if you’re about to give birth. If you prefer delivering at a certain hospital, you have to ensure that your doctor’s affiliated and willing to go to any hospital you want to have your baby.

  1. Telehealth Capabilities

Family doctors can treat and diagnose patients with the use of telecommunications technology, such as email, smartphones, and two-way video. Also referred to as telehealth, make sure to ask if your preferred doctors offer it.

Although telehealth isn’t the same as in-person office visits, it may be a huge advantage for patients who want fewer trips to the clinic. Aside from that, other conditions can be managed by sending vital signs and symptoms you collect at home and having virtual visits with your provider.

Telehealth may also be used for regular follow-ups or some minor complaints, which makes it a more convenient option. But, don’t forget to check your health insurance if it covers telehealth services.

  1. Price

If you’re one of those individuals who don’t have health insurance, you should take into consideration the price or doctor’s fee. Since you’ll need to pay out of your pockets, it’s also important to check the current costs of various procedures and the fair prices of some healthcare services. Typically, the fair price is what health service providers allow from insurers as full payment, which is less than the amount billed.

  1. Patient Reviews

Reading what others have to say about the doctor can give you insights into how they practice medicine, and the way they operate as a medical practitioner.

More often than not, many patients convey their experience with scheduling wait times, appointments, office staff friendliness, and office environment in patient reviews. When compared to specialty clinics, your family doctor’s clinic will be your medical home. So, be honest with what you feel and know how well other patients trust the doctor.

  1. Insurance

You have to keep in mind that not all doctors are part of your current insurance network. Also, your insurance plan might not pay everything for out-of-network doctors.

When looking for a family doctor, make sure to determine which kinds of doctors your insurance covers by reading information online or checking your insurance company’s directory. If your insurance provider doesn’t have any of these, you can just call one of their representatives and ask some questions about insurance covers for hiring a family doctor.

Benefits Of Having A Family Doctor

Now that you know the things to consider when looking for a family doctor, it’s time to know the amazing benefits of having one, and these include the following:

  • Provides Comprehensive Care For You And Your Family

The best healthcare is treating not just the symptoms of an illness, but also treating the person holistically. Hiring a family doctor as soon as your family grows, they will get to know you. They can also get a sense of how you are as a person. They’d be eager to know your values, job pressures, family situation, and even your goals.

Such environmental, emotional, physical, spiritual, and mental factors can have a profound impact on your health. Being knowledgeable of those things can give valuable information as they evaluate what’s troubling you. For this reason, family doctors won’t only treat your illness, but also guide you to a better and healthier life.

  • Serves As Your Personal Health Trainer

You have to remember that health isn’t built by itself. Everybody goes through a cycle of life, and you need proper planning and dedication to reach your desired optimal health.

One of the amazing perks of family doctors is that they can provide you the necessary knowledge and extensive training that you’ll need for free. Some of the sample health programs that family doctors provide include diet modification, smoking cessation, supplement and exercise recommendations, and weight loss.

No matter what your fitness goals are, you can achieve them with medical and psychological support from family doctors. Other than that, most family doctors are experts in preventative health. Depending on your current health condition, medical history, or family history, family doctors can recommend screening tests, such as such as Covid test or diabetes screening, prostate check, PAP smear, colonoscopy, mammogram, hypertension screening, and more, at appropriate stages.

Family doctor examining throat of a small black boy while visiting him at home during coronavirus pandemic.
  • Helps You Locate Specialists Easily

There are some situations that you may need a specialist. Once it happens, family doctors can easily find the best fit for your condition. Whether you need a heart health or cancer specialist, they can recommend you to the ones who can take care of you properly. The reason behind it is that they know your condition well and are in a position to know who can deal with your illness best.

  • Knows Your Medical History And That Of Your Family Members

After giving you treatments for several years, family doctors will surely have you and your family’s medical history. It’s a crucial aspect since it helps them make correct or accurate diagnoses, monitor any changes in your family’s health, and watch out for any reactions with treatments or medications you take.

Family doctors may also come in handy in terms of early detection of an illness, which could necessitate your family members to undergo some tests. Apart from that, they also serve as your pointer of what’s happening at your home, whether things are great or not.  Overall, family doctors will take care of the overall health condition of you and your family members, without giving you any inconvenience or hassle.

  • Improves Lives While Allowing You To Save Money

Although it isn’t obvious as it may seem, having family doctors can help save money for the healthcare system and everyone out there. In other countries where there are many people hiring family doctors, there’s also a lesser number of people being hospitalized or diagnosed with serious illnesses, like cancer. So, if you have the budget and you always prioritize health, make sure to get a family doctor now for your family’s health needs to enjoy savings in the long run and have a healthier lifestyle.

  • Performs More Than Just Annual Exam

While family doctors do your annual check-ups, they can also help you navigate your chronic medical problems, such as arthritis, asthma, heart disease, and diabetes. They may also treat your serious medical conditions, like infections and injuries, to keep you well throughout and help you through your stressful times.

Final Thoughts

Finding the best family doctor can make a huge difference in your family’s health needs. So, it’s essential to make a well-informed decision before you hire one. By taking note of the above things to consider, you’ll be able to find a reliable and reputable family doctor that your family deserves to have.

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