Nobody likes going to the doctor. It either means you’re sick, injured, or attending a preventive care appointment because you feel like you have to. It means taking time out of your busy schedule to sit in a cold waiting room and worry what the doctor might have to say.
No matter how much you don’t like going to see the doctor, it’s essential that you have a primary care doctor available. When the time comes that you do fall ill and need to see someone, you’ll want to have a primary care doctor who already knows your medical history and can take you in quickly.
If you’re in the market to find a new primary care doctor, there are some things you should consider to ensure you choose the right one for you.
Check Your Network Providers
Choosing a doctor when you have an insurance plan is both easy and frustrating, especially if you recently switched insurance companies. Each company has a list of doctors in their network that they will cover. So, you’ll want to make sure that your new primary care doctor is within your insurance plan’s network.
Simply request a list of doctors your insurance covers and start narrowing down your search from there.
Consider the Location
The location of the doctor’s office is important. It must be convenient for you to travel to and close enough that you don’t waste hours of your day attending an appointment. Just think about how far you’re willing to drive when you’re feeling under the weather.
Tour the Office
Before you commit to a new primary care doctor, take a tour of their office. You’ll want to consider their medical office layouts, hygiene, sanitation, technological advancements, and staff friendliness when taking a tour.
This is your chance to interact with the medical staff, including receptionists and nurses, to see how they treat patients. It’s also an opportunity to become familiar with how the office is laid out and what type of equipment they use.
Consult with the Doctor
The best thing you can do when searching for a new primary care doctor is to have a meet-and-greet before agreeing to use them as your go-to doctor. This is your chance to get to know their personality a bit and see if you two are on the same page.
It’s essential that you and your doctor are compatible and that you feel comfortable taking medical advice from them. You can ask them questions about their experience and methods of diagnosing as well as other things.
Appointment Availability
When you aren’t feeling well, you’ll want to have an appointment as soon as possible to see your doctor. When searching for a new primary care physician, make sure that they have good availability for appointments.
Check their office hours and consider if they are open late enough for you to schedule an appointment after work. Are they open early enough to get an appointment before work? These are essential details to consider when choosing a new primary care doctor.