How to Choose the Best Primary Care Doctor

Last Updated on January 7, 2021

Generally, family medicine doctors often concentrate on disease prevention, while internal practitioners may have a subspecialty. So if you are suffering from a specific health problem, find one who knows your issue.

#3 – See How Available They Are

Making a simple appointment with your doctor can be really frustrating when you have to wait weeks or months to get in. Once again, never underestimate convenience, even though it may have nothing to do with the quality of care you receive.

Certain providers can have a limited schedule with only a few available appointments, leading to prolonged wait times for regular appointments, as stated the chief resident at the UPMC Shadyside Family Health Center.

However, patients may want to pick a doctor whose schedule allows frequent visits or same day visits for acute concerns. Generally, you should see a primary care provider who knows you, instead of having to go to the ER or an urgent care.

#4 – Remember Your Time is Valuable, Too

There are some common mistakes patients often make before a doctor’s appointment, and arriving late is one of them, because they may simply pass to the next patient. And once you finally get there, you’ll likely be the one waiting, which is a frustrating experience for busy people.

Sometimes the time you spend waiting is not the doctor’s fault, as it’s possible that the office procedures are delaying things. However, if there are not many people in the waiting room, then it’s mostly the doctor.

Of course, it’s great to take time with patients, but if it’s a frequent problem, you should better find someone who makes (and sticks to) a realistic schedule.

#5 – You Should Be Comfortable Opening Up

You want to be able to communicate with your doctor freely and effortlessly, and you won’t be able to do that if you don’t feel comfortable exposing private and perhaps embarrassing information. Medicine is actually based on communication and trust.

If you’re feeling uncomfortable, it may be difficult for you to speak about a symptom, which can be very important, to your doctor. For a specialist who is probably the only person who can perform a certain practice, you may accept a lack of comfy feeling. But for your primary care doctor, you need to select the one you’ll feel at ease with.