Your family doctor is there to provide lifelong care for you and your entire family and guide you through many important healthcare decisions. It goes without saying that you need to choose one that you can have a rewarding relationship with—a relationship built on trust, which translates into emotional support, excellent communication, and optimal treatment outcomes.
So, how do you find the right family doctor for you? It all starts with searching for the right practice. Below, we’ve prepared 10 tips to help streamline your search for the suitable family practice for you.
Tip #1 Gather Recommendations and Referrals.
The people you know could be an excellent referral source. Ask your family members, coworkers, friends, and other people you trust. Your OB/GYN, pediatrician, internal medicine physician, or any other primary care provider may also know of a practice with reliable family physicians on staff.
Tip #2 Run an Internet Search.
If you want to expand your list of prospects, turn to the World Wide Web. A simple Internet search for family practices near you could just be your key to finding the right one.
Tip #3 Do a Comprehensive Background Check.
Your health and that of your loved ones are too precious to entrust to the wrong person, so once you’ve drawn up a list of family practices, make sure to find out if they are accredited by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). Only a family practice that meets the gold standards of care and passes the vetting process by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) can be accredited. An accredited family practice offers evidence-based treatment and has board-certified family doctors on staff.
Board certification is essentially a barometer of your family physician’s expertise and commitment to keeping themself abreast of the latest advances in the field.
It also pays to scrutinize the doctor’s level of experience, and whether they have a history of malpractice claims or disciplinary action.
Tip #4 Check Your Insurance Coverage.
Find out about your insurance coverage and whether the family physician is in network. This way, you reap the benefits of your health insurance or ensure you pay the least out-of-the-pocket costs for your care.
Tip #5 Check If the Practice Offers Telehealth Appointments.
Telehealth or virtual appointments provide you with convenient access to the family physician’s care when an in-office visit is not possible for you or any of your loved ones, so include this aspect in your criteria.
Tip #6 Read Reviews.
Just as you’ve used testimonials or reviews to guide you through your purchase decisions, you also want to use them as a yardstick when finding and choosing a family practice.
Patient reviews help you decide with greater confidence, as they can give you an insight into the provider’s expertise and bedside manner, the attitude of the staff, appointment wait times, among other important things.
Tip #7 Find Out What Ancillary Services the Practice Offers.
You want a family practice that provides a vast array of ancillary services, such as medical weight-loss program, diagnostic services, wellness exams, sleep study, and even aesthetic services. Having many or even all of your healthcare needs taken care of in one location essentially means you no longer have to drive around town to get things done.
Tip #8 Pay Attention to the Staff’s Attitude.
The office staff is your gateway to the family physician: they are responsible for handling your appointments, arranging with your insurance provider, among other things. It’s, therefore, important that you feel comfortable around them and assured that they will promptly address your needs.
Pay attention to how they treat you even just on the phone, such as whether they address you by name or if they patiently and thoroughly answer your questions. These are basics of patient care and should be part of your expectations.
Tip #9 Schedule a Meet-and Greet with the Doctor.
As with choosing any other healthcare provider, you should consider not only the family physician’s background and reputation, but also their bedside manner and how comfortable you are with working with them. The only way to ascertain these aspects is to make an appointment with the doctor.
During your appointment, notice the doctor’s communication style and demeanor as well as whether they care to thoroughly explain your diagnosis and treatment options. If you feel you’re being ignored, dismissed, or rushed, these are red flags that you need to cross them off your list. You deserve a family physician who makes you feel validated and respected, and treats you like a person—not a number.
Tip #10 Ease of Booking Appointments Is Also Important.
If you never seem to get past the office’s answering machine, or you always find it a pain to book appointments with the family physician, this could be a sign they’re not the right match for you. Find someone else you actually get to see.
Family Practice in Irmo, SC
At SC Internal Medicine Associates & Rehabilitation, our team includes board-certified family medicine physicians who are committed to advancing the health and well-being of the men, women, and children we are privileged to serve. Working with one of our providers means you and your entire family are in nurturing and competent hands!
Book an appointment with one of our family physicians today. Call our staff at (803) 749-1111 or fill out our appointment form. We look forward to providing you and your family with top-notch, comprehensive care!
