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primary care physician in Wellington FL

4 Tips for Choosing Your Primary Care Physician

Choosing the right primary care provider is crucial to ensure you receive proper medical care and advice. This essential decision can impact future health outcomes, including adherence to treatment, patient satisfaction, and continuity of care.

A doctor who values your time, communicates effectively, and provides personalized care can make a big difference in your healthcare experience. Below are four insightful tips to help you select the right doctor to entrust your health with:

1.  Determine The Type Of Doctor That Suits Your Needs

Working with the right doctor starts with determining the type of medical professional that will meet your needs. There are several types of primary care doctors, including:

  • Family practitioners
  • Pediatricians
  • Internists
  • Obstetricians/gynecologists
  • Geriatricians
  • Nurse practitioners
  • Physician assistants

Patients should know their doctor’s training background, like family medicine or internal medicine, and their scope of practice.

For instance, a pediatrician is best if you have young children. If you’re an older adult with complex medical issues related to aging, a geriatrician would be a good choice.

Consider Professional Qualifications

Once you have narrowed your options to a specific type of doctor, research their qualifications. This includes their medical education, residency, and board certification.It is highly recommended that patients seek board-certified physicians. This serves as a strong indicator of their expertise and competency in their field.

Consider Management Practices

A doctor who values their patients’ time and well-being will have flexible office hours and convenient appointment scheduling options.During appointments, you want to feel that your concerns are heard and that you have ample time to discuss your concerns.

Another important factor to consider is the office staff. Friendly and efficient staff can make all the difference in your overall experience. From scheduling appointments to managing insurance claims, a doctor’s office staff should be knowledgeable and helpful in supporting your needs.

2.  Look For A Doctor Who Shows Compassion And Professionalism

Professionalism and genuine care for patients are essential components of clinical excellence. There is a preference for doctors who:

  • Show compassion for patient care
  • Display professionalism
  • Exhibit respect and empathy towards patients

Moreover, a doctor with a scholarly approach to clinical practice can offer patients quality and evidence-based care.They stay up-to-date with the latest research and best practices, allowing them to provide the best medical services.

3.  Choose A Doctor Who Is Experienced In Diagnosing And Treating Several Conditions

Competent primary care physicians contribute to better health outcomes, higher patient satisfaction, and a more efficient healthcare system.Their ability to diagnose and manage health problems is critical to ensuring patient satisfaction.

Provides Comprehensive And Continuous Care

Look for a doctor who can manage a wide range of health problems. This will reduce the need for multiple referrals to specialists. This saves you time and decreases your financial burden.

Also, consider choosing a doctor who can provide consistent and continuous care over time. This allows for the development of a strong doctor-patient relationship.

A well-established connection enables the provider to comprehend your medical history and address your health concerns more effectively.

Works With Your Insurance Provider

A key aspect of healthcare is the ability to work closely with insurance providers. This ensures you receive the necessary coverage for your treatments at the least cost to you.Finding a doctor covered by your insurance will help you avoid high out-of-pocket expenses.

Coordinates Care With Specialists

When specialist care is necessary, excellent doctors coordinate with specialists to ensure seamless care for their patients. This coordination includes:

  • Sharing relevant medical information
  • Discussing treatment plans
  • Monitoring the patient’s progress

All of these contribute to a more efficient and effective healthcare experience.

Prevents Unnecessary Specialist Care

The term “doctor referral” goes beyond a casual suggestion or recommendation. It is when a primary care physician recommends a patient to receive specialized medical attention or particular services.

This system aims to simplify the communication process between doctors regarding a patient’s healthcare requirements.Primary care physicians can help patients avoid unnecessary referrals to specialists. They do this by accurately diagnosing and managing their patients’ conditions themselves whenever possible.

4.  Seek Referrals And Recommendations

Getting referrals and recommendations from family, friends, or healthcare professionals is an excellent way to find a good doctor. That way, they can give you a good understanding of how their experience went.

You can check online reviews and patient satisfaction surveys to gather more information about your potential primary care doctor. Online forums can also help you find the best provider for a specific chronic condition or disability.

Primary Care Physician Near You In Wellington & Royal Palm Beach, FL

Navigating the complex world of healthcare can be challenging. However, having a primary care provider who understands your medical history and needs can make all the difference. When you consult the same doctor consistently, they become familiar with your unique health history and needs. This knowledge goes beyond what can be documented in a medical file, promoting personalized care tailored to your specific circumstances.

Are you looking for a primary care physician near you? At Advanced Medical Clinic, the best family practice in Wellington, patients can consistently receive care from our top primary care providers. This continuity of care offers numerous benefits that contribute to better health outcomes. You can easily ask questions and seek guidance without having to explain your symptoms or past experiences repeatedly.

To schedule an appointment, call (561) 434-1935 today. You can also request an appointment with the best primary care physician in Royal Palm Beach by using our online form. Don’t leave your healthcare to chance—opt for a trusted, dedicated primary care physician at Advanced Medical Clinic.

4 Healthy Tips from a Primary Care Physician Near You

It’s no denying that you need to avoid illnesses and practice healthy habitsto thrive and live a long-lasting life. However, avoiding certain illnesses and making healthy choices isn’t always easy.

The good news is that there is a doctor – your primary care doctor – whocanhelp you achieve and maintain good healthby fulfillingall your primary care needs and giving you some healthy tips.

Let’s talk about 4 healthy tips that your primary care doctor may advise you for living the healthiest and longest life and where you can find the best primary care doctor in Royal Palm Beach.

#1 Get Routine Health Screenings

Most people think regular health screening is only for those at risk for certain illnesses due to their genetic makeup. However, routine health screening is helpful for everyone. It helps detect diseases or conditions early when they are most treatable.

So, your primary care doctor recommends you regularly get yourself screened for heart diseases, diabetes, prostate cancer, and colorectal cancer.

During your health checkups, you may also be asked to get screened for diseases specific to your gender and age group.

#2 Take Control of your Health

To live a long healthy life, it’s important that youmust take an active role in your health and well-being. You should make intelligent health choices using the knowledge and skills your primary care doctor equips you with.

For example, if you have a chronic disease, such as diabetes, obesity, or hypertension, your primary care doctor advises you to manage your health condition by keeping a tab on your health numbers like blood pressure, BMI/weight, and blood sugar level.

#3 Maintain a Balanced Diet

One of the easiest things you can do to stay fit and healthy is to make wise food choices. This is because what you eat heavily impacts your health status.

For example, if you’re prediabetic, eating sugary food will keep your blood sugar level high, and you will quickly develop full-blown diabetes.

So, your primary care doctor advises you to incorporate the right amount of real food – whole grains, nuts, seeds, vegetables, fruits, fish, and healthy meat – into your diet. Plus, you must reduce your salt intake and alcohol consumption.

#4 Stay Physically Active

People living sedentary lives are at higher risk for cancer, metabolic diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and musculoskeletal diseases, such as back pain, knee pain, and osteoporosis.

So, your primary care doctor advises you to engage in physical activity that gets you moving for 30 minutes daily, at least three days a week.

You can stay active by doing simple and enjoyable activities, such as cycling, swimming, walking, running, dancing, etc.

Primary Care Doctor in Royal Palm Beach

At Advanced Medical in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida, our primary care doctors,Dr. Ishan Gunawardene and ShariffaGunawardene, are committed to providing you with comprehensive primary care and urgent care. Our primary care doctorsofferadvanced, evidence-based, individualized care tohelp you achieve good health and enjoy a long healthy life.

To make an appointment with our primary care doctors, call us today at (561) 434-1935 or request an appointment online.

Tips for Managing Arthritis Pain

If you’re one of the millions of people who suffer from arthritis, you know that finding ways to effectively manage the pain that comes with your condition is central to maintaining your mobility and overall quality of life.

In this post, you’ll learn about a few strategies that can help you ease arthritis pain and live well with it.

Tip #1 Make Positive Lifestyle Changes.

While the medications and other treatments that your doctor prescribed can help manage arthritis pain, the very things that you do on a daily basis have a significant impact on the outcome of your condition.

Having a healthy, anti-inflammatory diet and regular exercise can help with gradual weight loss and reduce your risk for flare-ups. Weight is of particular concern because the additional strain on your affected joint can cause further damage to it. Excess weight and chronic inflammation also go hand in hand.

If you smoke, it’s time to snuff the habit. Cigarette smoke makes arthritis pain worse, as it triggers the body to release cytokines, which are key modulators of inflammation.

Tip #2 Work Closely with Your Primary Care Physician.

Your primary care physician is an integral part of your healthcare team. They are not only there to coordinate your care and monitor your condition; they also serve as your accountability partner – to provide you with support and guidance, ensure treatment adherence, and reinforce healthy lifestyle changes.

Tip #3 Learn to Cope with Stress.

Research suggests that stress compounds the discomfort associated with arthritis, as it can cause endocrine and immune system dysfunction, leading to sustained low-grade inflammation.

While it can be easy to be pulled down by your negative thoughts when dealing with arthritis pain, always keep in mind that focusing on them will only make things worse. It will not only exacerbate the pain but also contribute to the progression of your condition.

There are many things you can do to cope with stress. Employ relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing. Surround yourself with people you love and who support you. Additionally, consider talking to a therapist or joining a support group; your doctor may be able to recommend one for you. Respond to unwanted thoughts by taking positive action.

Primary Care Physician in Wellington, FL

At Advanced Medical Clinic, our team includes a board-certified internal medicine physician and a board-certified family nurse practitioner, who have helped scores of patients suffering from arthritis and many other chronic health problems live and thrive with their conditions.

Call us today at (561) 434-1935 or book an appointment online to arrange a consultation with Dr. Gunawardene or our family NP, Shariffa Gunawardene. We look forward to providing you with the high-quality health care you deserve!

Coping With Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) impacts 30 million men in the United States alone. Fortunately, there are many effective treatments for ED. In Royal Palm Beach, Advanced Medical Clinic is the place to go to discuss erectile dysfunction confidentially and to get the coping strategies and treatments you need for satisfying sexual health.

What Is Erectile Dysfunction?

Frankly, most men would admit they experience some degree of sexual dysfunction from time to time. However, persistent difficulties in achieving and maintaining an erection sufficient to have intercourse are abnormal. Men who experience this issue need help from their primary care physician.

What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?

Your family doctor encounters many patients who struggle with ED. The reasons for the problem vary, but usually, they fall under two categories: physical and psychological.

The physical causes include:

●     Poorly controlled diabetes

●     Injury to the groin, abdomen, or back

●     Obesity

●     Cardiovascular disease

●     Hypertension

●     Prostate issues, such as benign prostatic hypertrophy

●     Neurological problems

●     Certain medications

●     Some surgeries

The psychological causes include:

●     Alcohol or substance abuse

●     Family or work stress

●     Relationship issues between partners

●     Depression

●     Anxiety

Coping With Erectile Dysfunction

The first and best coping mechanism is an open, honest discussion with your primary care physician. They will assess your overall health and ask about your symptoms. They may order blood tests and other lab work to check for diabetes and other problems which could cause ED.

Additionally, your doctor will screen you for emotional health issues, such as depression and anxiety, to determine if you require counseling or other psychological interventions.

To manage your ED, you and your physician will pursue a treatment plan tailored to your individual needs. Some men benefit from oral medications, such as Viagara and Cialis. There are suppositories and self-injectable medications that help many men, as well.

Other men may need a surgically-inserted penile implant to aid in obtaining and keeping an erection. Plus, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is not just for women. Men with erectile dysfunction may have low-T (testosterone) and can benefit from HRT taken in pill form.

For most men–and this likely includes you–lifestyle changes greatly improve sexual function. Here are some suggestions that really work:

●     Avoid being sedentary, and start exercising. Regular exercise improves your mood, reduces stress, and benefits your vascular function.

●     Stop all smoking, and limit alcohol consumption. Both adversely impact the microcirculation in the lower extremities.

●     Achieve a healthy body weight. The bigger your waistline, the greater your chances of developing ED.

●     Eat fewer processed foods and more vegetables and fruit. Studies show a direct link between junk food and ED.

Don’t Wait for Erectile Dysfunction to Go Away

You can manage sexual problems, such as erectile dysfunction, with the help of your primary care physician. So, why not take back control by calling Dr. Ishan Gunawardene? He is board-certified in internal medicine and has expertise and training in many subspecialties, including men’s health.

Contact Advanced Medical Clinic to schedule a consultation. Call us at (561) 434-1935, or request an appointment online.