A family medicine doctor can treat a broad range of acute and chronic conditions and act as the coordinator of your care. The relationship you have with your primary care provider is valuable, as preventive care is handled at the primary level. Primary care services include life-saving annual checks and screenings, which have been shown to help patients have a better quality of life and live longer.
If you are searching for a family practice for your needs, here are some tips to help you find the best one in your area.
1.) Ask For Referrals
Referrals can come from relatives, friends, and co-workers. A word-of-mouth referral is worth its weight in gold. For a family practice to come highly recommended says a lot about the quality of care they provide.
2.) Choose a Board-Certified Family Medicine Doctor
A board-certified primary care doctor is committed to providing quality patient care by following industry standards. Board-certified physicians need to be recertified every seven to 10 years, and this involves passing rigorous exams to adhere to the highest standards of health care.
3.) Consider Your Needs
Is there a family member that needs 24/7 availability for primary care services? Most primary care doctors see patients during regular business hours. If you want a family practice that you can reach on weekends and holidays, you may want to look into concierge primary care providers. Concierge family practice doctors are available 24/7 and offer same-day or next-day appointments, unhurried visits, and telehealth/virtual visits. A concierge primary care doctor may be a better choice for anyone with a chronic disease.
4.) Search According to Location
You have to narrow your search to family practices in your area. Search for “family practice in Kennesaw, GA” to see all of the family medicine doctors that are conveniently located near you. Ideally, the clinic should be easy to get to. You may not think of it now, but inconvenience can cause delays in getting timely care, and you won’t want to travel far when you or a family member is feeling ill. A family care doctor that’s conveniently located will be a better resource for you than a faraway one.
If you are shopping around for a family medicine doctor, schedule consultations with a few doctors. Doing so allows you to observe the clinics, staffs, and get to know the doctors to see if they are the right fit for you and your family.
