Your family medicine doctor is usually your first point of contact for healthcare. So, choosing a good family physician is one of the most important decisions you will make for your health and well-being.
Typically, your family physician will be with you for a long time, and it’s generally helpful to have a good relationship with them. They’ll eventually get to know you and your family, as well as your medical histories, very well, which gives them a unique perspective on your healthcare needs.
To help you on your journey of finding the best family physician, here are things you should look for.
Excellent Training And Credentials
One of the first things you should check is the training of your family doctor. While their educational background is not the sole determinant of their excellence as a doctor, it speaks volumes about what they can handle. At the very least, they should hold a doctor of medicine (MD) degree and be board-certified. They should have also completed their training and residency in family medicine.
You can look for their university and see if it is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Family medicine residency programs require three or four years of training. Your family physician should be board-certified by the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM).
Additionally, look into any additional training they might have received. Some family physicians specialize in specific fields. You may select a family doctor depending on their subspecialty, which may be one of the following:
- Emergency medicine
- Internal medicine
- Preventive medicine
Good Interpersonal Skills
After you have reviewed their education and credentials, the second thing you should look for is their ability to communicate with you. As family doctors, they are responsible for giving you care. Quality care involves empathic, transparent, and respectful communication.
Observe how the doctor communicates with you during your appointment. Do they ask a lot of questions and carefully listen to your responses, or dismiss your input? Do you feel rushed during the appointment or that you got ample time speaking with the doctor? Do you feel comfortable with the doctor? You have to share a lot of personal information with your doctor, so it’s important to go with one who makes you feel comfortable.
If you have young children who will also be seeing the family doctor, assess how well the doctor communicates with them. A family doctor must be patient when working with children. This is a must-have quality to look out for.
A Network Of Specialists
Aside from seeking excellence and compassion from your family physician, look into their ability to collaborate with other health providers. They should be associated with a network of specialists and other primary care doctors. With this, you also gain access to the best hospitals and medical centers.
Remember, your family physician will be your first point of contact for healthcare. However, family physicians are usually generalists. You may have a health condition requiring the expertise of a specialist. Your family physician’s ability to coordinate with other medical professionals ensures effective and more cost-friendly health care for you.
Family Physician In Irmo, South Carolina
Your family physician is someone you will interact with for a long time. It pays to find someone you are comfortable with and who is happy to work with you. At SC Internal Medicine Associates and Rehabilitation, LLC, we provide comprehensive and compassionate primary care for all of our patients.
Our family physicians have top-notch credentials. More importantly, they are empathic, communicative, highly experienced, and collaborative. Under the charge of our family doctors, you can rest assured that you and your family will get the best health care.
To advance your family’s health, give our office at Irmo, South Carolina, a call at (803) 749-1111. You may also request an appointment online for your convenience.
