For many people, trips to the doctor are more stressful than they need to be. These visits are important for maintaining long-term health, and finding the right doctor can be a long process for many. To make sure your doctor visits are meaningful, follow these ideas when searching for a primary care physician.

Finding the Right Doctor

The first step is finding the right doctor to meet your expected needs. Some tips here include:

• Recommendations: Take recommendations from friends and family who you trust, particularly if they receive any similar elements of care you’re looking for. Also look at professional recommendations – if you’re looking for a specialist, your primary care doctor is a great resource (make sure to ask for doctors or specialists who have done the kind of work you’re looking for regularly in the past).
• Online: Use online resources and reviews to get basics, but know that these can be unreliable in some cases. Be careful.
• Trust your gut: In the end, you have to trust your feelings when it comes to choosing a doctor. A doctor you see regularly needs to be someone you’re fully comfortable with and like. Consider important areas like cost, size of practice and others, but don’t go with a final decision unless it feels right.

 

Health Care System Considerations

Particularly if you’re someone who regularly has to see specialists, it could be beneficial for you to always choose doctors that operate in the same system or network. This often makes things like comparing results and sharing information easier – and allows doctors who already know each other to work together.

Seeing a Separate Doctor

Many doctors, particularly primary care physicians, have schedules that book out months in advance – it might be tough to get an appointment with your specific doctor every time you need one. In most cases this is fine, particularly if you’re looking for help with a specific medical concern or condition; simply make an appointment with another professional in that practice while also setting the later appointment with your own doctor. This way, you get the immediate treatment you need and can still see your own personal doctor when available for any concerns.

Tips for the Visit

Some basic tips for a given doctor’s visit:

• Come prepared: Be ready in advance with any questions or concerns you have, and specifics to back them up with. Be as detailed as you can, including noting any medications you take or any major conditions you’ve had in the past. Think about questions you want answered by your doctor.
• Be flexible/patient: Arrive at least 15 minutes early if this is your first visit with this doctor, as you’ll have to fill out some paperwork (this may also be done the day before or further in advance). From here, know that timing can be difficult for a doctor’s office even if you made an appointment – if the doctor is running late, do your best to be patient.
• Prepare for a physical exam: Most doctor’s visits will come with some kind of physical exam, and you have to de-robe and wear a gown. Request a chaperone if this is something you require.
• Leave with a plan: Take notes, and make sure you know the plan of action for addressing any concerns or conditions before you leave. If you’re confused, ask for clarification.

Speak to your healthcare provider for further recommendations on finding the right doctor and having good, productive visits.

Revere Health Orem Family Medicine is devoted to comprehensive healthcare for patients of all ages, and committed to provide thorough and timely health care for the entire family throughout all stages of life.

Sources:

“A Doctor’s Tips for Going to the Doctor.” WebMD. https://blogs.webmd.com/doctors/2018/03/a-doctors-tips-for-going-to-the-doctor.html

“A Doctor’s Guide to a Good Appointment.” New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/guides/well/make-the-most-of-your-doctor-appointment