A family doctor is a crucial part of keeping your family healthy. They are your trusted resource for ensuring your family’s well-being. A family doctor is someone who understands not only the importance of a cure but also preventative measures to avoid health issues in the first place. However, the title of “Dr.” alone isn’t enough to ensure that someone is the right choice for you and your family.
If you’re currently on the lookout for a great family doctor, then here are some of the most important factors to consider.
Qualifications
You want to make sure that you find someone who specializes in all ages. A qualified doctor should know how to care for someone over the age of 70 or under the age of two. In other words, they should be board certified in family medicine. Being board-certified means that they’ve completed all the necessary training to provide care relevant to all ages.
Communication
If there’s one profession that isn’t always known for the best communication skills, it’s doctors. Doctors have gone through so much schooling and tend to be so wrapped up in medical and technical details that they forget the human side of their profession.
You want to find a doctor who compassionately communicates and also listens. You need someone who is willing to listen to your concerns without dismissing them and, of course, provides the correct medical information.
You can usually get a good feel for someone’s communication based on the first appointment. Otherwise, you should scroll through their Google reviews and get a feel for how patients feel about their communication style. Above all, responsiveness is important with communication. If you have a sick child, you want to ensure that you can get a hold of your doctor when you need to without having to wait days for a response.
Ask for Recommendations
While Google can be a great tool for finding a doctor, there’s nothing more valuable than a personal recommendation from a friend or family member. Reach out to your network and ask if anyone has a doctor that they’d recommend and why. If the same name comes up more than once, then this is a good indication that they’re a good choice.
Consider Proximity and Hours
While you may want to base your decision on reputation and qualifications alone, convenience and proximity are incredibly important. Choosing a doctor who has limited availability or requires long drives to get to could pose a problem.
You want to consider things like same-day appointment options or whether their opening hours correlate with your work schedule. Sickness rarely comes at a convenient time, so ideally, you want to make sure that you can make it to your doctor’s office quickly.
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