Choosing a primary care doctor can be challenging, especially if you want to have the right one for your care. Maybe you moved into a new city or a different state, or just want to receive better, more personalized care. Whatever your reasons are, here are some tips on how to pick the right primary care doctor for you.
Decide on What Type of Primary Care Doctor You Want
In addition to board certification, which is important, find out about the primary care doctor’s training. The most common primary care doctors that see adults are either internal medicine or family medicine providers. Internal medicine providers are highly trained in treating adult-specific diseases, such as diabetes, arthritis, and cancer, while family medicine doctors can treat all members of the family, from your children to your grandparents. Ask if the doctor has experience treating patients with similar health concerns as yours. This is important because they will likely be familiar with the latest research and treatments available for your conditions.
Visit Their Website
You can get a sense of how the doctor is based on their website. A well-put-together website will communicate the doctor’s or the practice’s philosophy on treating patients.
Place a Call to The Office
There are a lot of things you can learn about a primary care doctor’s practice from talking with their reception staff. You can find out how soon you can get an appointment with the doctor and whether they offer same-day or next-day appointments, who to contact if you have questions outside of business hours, and take note of how the receptionist treats you. When office staff is friendly and helpful when it comes to answering questions or scheduling appointments, it can make dealing with medical issues less stressful.
Find a Doctor Who Listens With Compassion
Find a doctor who is open to hearing about your concerns and working with you to find solutions that work for you specifically. This is important because everyone’s body is different, and what works for one person may not work for another. Find a doctor who takes the time to get to know you as a person, not just a patient. This is important because building a good rapport with your doctor can make them more invested in helping you achieve your health goals. You can also schedule a consultation and see how you feel after meeting the doctor.
Experienced Primary Care Doctors in Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota, FL
If you are in need of a new primary care provider, choose Intercoastal Medical Group. We have many primary care providers practicing in both internal medicine and family medicine, and our friendly and helpful staff can help you find the right physician to meet your needs. We are also a multispecialty practice, ranging from gastroenterology, oncology, podiatry, rheumatology, and many more, in case you are ever in the need of a certain specialist. Intercoastal Medical Group has over 100 physicians to choose from. We look forward to caring for you and your family!
You may reach us by calling the location nearest you or by using our convenient online form to request an appointment with us. We look forward to providing you with the highest quality medical care in Lakewood Ranch and Sarasota.
