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Primary Care Doctor

Why Staying with The Same Doctor Is Beneficial

Doctors want to protect their one-one-one relationship with their patients. Therefore, having a good primary care physician (PCP) or family medicine doctor that has provided care for you anywhere from infancy to adulthood, is beneficial and important for many reasons. A doctor who has taken care of you and sometimes other members of your family, will know you and your medical history inside and out.

For example, some health insurance allows the policy holder to go directly to a specialist when they feel the necessity to do so. However, your primary doctor has a unique knowledge of your health history, and can often consult with you about what type of specialist you may need to go to, or that you might not need to at all. They make it their goal to be the steward of your good health throughout the years, so having a little trust in their expertise can go a long way.

Staying with the same doctor can ensure that you have the best care possible – they listen to your needs, and are able to give you their time and expertise every time they treat you. Since that relationship is developed over time, good quality service and care is guaranteed from a doctor that has known you for a long period of time. Not everyone has the luck and luxury of having access to good healthcare, which is sad, but the rarity of it is a reality. As good care, and a good doctor can often be taken for granted, when a place of good care and compassion is found, count that as a major blessing and stay put. Being with the same doctor and practice as you grow up throughout the stages of life can be a very comforting thing when times get tough.

At Advanced Medical in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida, our continuity of care sets us apart from other practices. We ensure your treatment remains consistent and coordinated, so our patients will avoid unnecessary hospitalizations. Our practice understands the importance of quality of life and the meaning of true family health. By providing evidence-based medical care, our patients who stay with us long-term benefit by having a partner whose goal is to be a champion for their good health.  

If it becomes necessary, we will refer you to the best physicians or specialist that is fit to take care of your needs. To learn more about why staying with us is beneficial, call Advanced Medical in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida at (561) 434-1935 to request an appointment, or you can request an appointment online.  

Insider Tips for Choosing the Best Primary Care Doctor

What Qualifications are You Looking For? 

A primary care doctor is your most personal contact to the healthcare system. He or she is your partner in health as well as your advisor, your confidant, and the one professional you can turn to when you have a problem with your health. However, this role can be filled by a number of different types of specialists.

An internal medicine physician specializes in the care of all adults. They are often considered the detectives of medicine, because they are experts at identifying, diagnosing, and treating adult illnesses. However, they are also very qualified in helping you prevent illness and improve your health.

On the other hand, a family practice specialist is board certified to provide primary care for patients throughout their lifespan. This means that they treat infants, children, adolescents, adults, and seniors. You may be looking for a primary doctor that can care for your entire family, and stay with you throughout your life. If that is the case, you may want to research family practice providers.

Some doctors decide to get additional training to treat a specific population. A geriatrician is a specialist who is board certified in the treatment of patients 65 years of age and older. If you are looking for a primary care doctor that has a deeper understanding of the unique needs of an older adult, than you may be looking for a geriatrician.

Other primary care doctors include pediatricians and OB/GYN (obstetrics and gynecology) specialists. Regardless of your choice, you should make sure that your doctor is board certified in their area of expertise. This means that they have not only completed medical school, a residency, and sometimes a fellowship, but also that they have had the required testing that certifies that they are experts in their field.

What’s Important to You? 

Once you have narrowed down your search to specialty, it’s time to take inventory of what is important to you. Depending on where you live and what kind of transportation is available, you may want a primary doctor whose office is close to your home or your work. How about office hours? Do you need to find someone who is available evenings or weekends, or that can see you in an emergency? And if you call after hours, will you talk to your doctor or an associate, a covering physician, a nurse practitioner, a physician’s assistant, or a nurse? This might be something that will add weight to your decision. You may also have a preference for hospital facilities, so find out where they have affiliations or privileges.

You should also take personal needs and beliefs into consideration. If you have a chronic illness such as diabetes or heart disease, you may be looking for a primary care doctor that specializes or has a focus in one of these illnesses. Everyone has different styles or approaches from a doctor that they are comfortable with. Do you need a doctor that lays everything out for you and spells out a plan, or would you prefer someone who gives you options and lets you choose? Personal style can be of great benefit, or can be a deterrent to achieving health, because if you are not comfortable the advice you are given, you probably won’t follow it.

Ask Around

Now that you have developed an inventory of what you are looking for in a doctor, it’s time to get some recommendations. Ask your friends who they see, and why they have chosen their doctor. Ask them to list their pros and cons, in their opinion, because remember that you might think differently. You can ask people other than your friends too. Ask your coworkers, your kid’s teachers, and even other doctors like your specialists or your kid’s pediatrician. Once you’ve compiled a list, you should check with your insurance company directly because online and published lists are not always accurate. You don’t want to spend time inquiring about doctors that are not on your plan, and you certainly don’t want to find out they don’t take your insurance after you’ve made an appointment. Finally, there are a number of websites that offer reviews of doctors. Don’t just look at the numbers, but read the written reviews, because again, what is important to someone else may not be important to you.

Make Your Decision In Person 

When you are pretty sure of your choice, make an appointment. It is important that the impression you have formed is an accurate one. This is your opportunity to ask questions, discuss your health concerns, and see how well you communicate. In all likelihood, if you’ve done your homework, you will have a match, but take this opportunity to get to know your doctor. When making the very important choice of choosing your primary care doctor, you should feel comfortable in knowing that this is someone you can have a long and trusting relationship with, because your health depends on it.

We would be happy to answer any questions you may have about our practice and the primary care services we provide. At Advanced Medical, PA, we pride ourselves in providing personal and individualized, quality health care. To learn more about us and the services we offer, or to schedule a visit, call us at (561) 434-1935 to request an appointment, or request one online.

 

 

Is Your Chronic Pain a Sign of something Bigger?

Your body does not own a computer. It can’t send you a text message about your foot or tell you in an email that your appendix is in trouble. Your body has only a few ways of signaling that there is a problem; so it relies on symptoms to show distress. One of the biggest signaling symptoms is pain. Chronic pain (pain that lasts for at least 12 weeks or more) is often a symptom of a disease process or injury.

Feeling fatigued, losing or gaining weight, sleeplessness, anxiety, irritability, changes in appetite, and fevers are all signs that your body is experiencing some kind of stress. Sometimes the reasons behind chronic pain are known; and sometimes they are not.

Chronic Pain May be a Symptom of Something Bigger

Pain may be dull or sharp, it may be constant, or it can come and go at different times. The type of pain, its location and severity, along with other symptoms can be clues as to the underlying cause. Your chronic pain may be related to a known injury, for example, or it could be a symptom of something bigger. Either way, it is your body trying to tell you something important and you should most certainly listen.

Many injuries and disorders can cause chronic pain. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, for instance, are known for being painful, even debilitating conditions. The causes of pain can range from minor to severe and include everything from fibromyalgia to ulcers, appendicitis, or even cancer.

Pain can be difficult to describe or even evaluate, because no one else can feel what you are feeling in exactly the same way as you experience it. It is all very subjective and quite personal. There is no single test that can measure and pinpoint pain in every situation. There are, however several different kinds of tests that can aid your doctor in correctly diagnosing the underlying causes of your pain.

Once diagnosed, your physician can help find the most suitable treatment options for your particular problem. When faced with chronic pain, the goal is to understand the cause, implement treatment that helps to alleviate or reduce it and to restore function in order to provide a better quality of life for you, the patient.

Some people are uneasy about tests, or they are used to the pain and try to push through it and ignore it. This is never a good idea. Chronic pain should be checked out, even if only to set your mind at ease. Chronic pain is not likely to go away on its own, and it could be a symptom of something much more serious. If you are concerned about how chronic pain is affecting your quality of life, Dr. Ishan Gunawardene of Advanced Medical Clinic can answer all of your questions. To make an appointment with us in Wellington or Royal Palm Beach, request an appointment online or call (561) 434-1935 today.