Choosing the right primary care physician (PCP) is imperative in maintaining excellent health throughout your lifetime. This is the healthcare provider with whom you and your family will build a long-term relationship.
This doctor will oversee your family’s health and wellness, with an emphasis on preventive care. Your primary care provider will maintain your medical records, write prescriptions as necessary, provide immunizations, gather records from any specialists and hospitals you may visit, recommend screenings, and provide advice on a healthy diet and lifestyle.
Primary care physicians are also called general practitioners or family doctors, because they are generalists in the field of medicine. These are the healthcare professionals with whom you will have your annual checkups.
Tips on How to Find a Family Doctor
When it comes to looking for primary care providers, patients usually have many different options. Here are a few key tips for how to choose your PCP:
Search Within Your Health Plan Network
A good way to start off your search is to look for PCPs in your own network. Choosing a doctor outside of your health plan may cost you a lot of money.
Most health plans have a long list of PCPs who accept their health insurance. If you have a doctor who you’d like to see, call the doctor’s office and ask them if they take your insurance – and if not, ask them what they charge for out-of-network checkups.
Ask for Referrals from People You Know
Your friends, neighbors, and nearby relatives may have excellent PCPs that they’d recommend to you and your family. If you ask multiple people, you’re likely to get multiple answers, which can be a good thing.
Once you have one or more names of doctors, search online for the physicians’ names and look at their credentials. You can often get a good feel for what the doctor is like by their online profile and website.
Friendly physicians often mention their spouse or family on their website. Some physicians even work with their family members, which is a good sign.
Look for Board Certification
A board-certified PCP has completed medical specialty training and passed an exam that has certified their knowledge, skill, and expertise in a specific field. In the case of a PCP, their certification is often in Internal Medicine. You can check a doctor’s name online for board certification, such as the American Board of Medical Specialties.
Look for Convenient Locations
When searching for a primary care physician, look for one who is within easy driving distance to your home or office. Convenience is key to selecting the right PCP for your family. You should not have to drive far to keep up with regular health and wellness checkups.
Family Doctor in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach
Here at Advanced Medical Clinic, we are a state-of-the-art primary care practice offering the highest standard of medical care in South Florida. Our primary care providers are friendly and compassionate and care deeply for your family’s health.
For your convenience, we have clinics in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, call us today at (561) 434-1935 or request an appointment online now. We look forward to seeing you here!
