It’s a good idea to have a family doctor that can, as the name suggests, attend to the medical needs of your family. A practitioner of this nature will be responsible for holding general check-ups, routine screenings, and diagnosing and treating any acute or chronic conditions.
Family doctors are well-versed in the general health concerns you have and will refer you to a specialist should they find that your case needs this. Of course, this crucial role in the wellbeing of your family means you shouldn’t just go with anybody.
Here are a few things you want to look for in a family doctor.
Friendly and Comforting Personality
This is especially important if you have children that may be wary of doctor’s visits. Pick someone that you are comfortable with and can make every family member feel at ease with their presence.
This is the person that will be handling your health and wellness, after all. Take the time to work with someone that seems like they actually care and are willing to engage their patients as individuals.
Communicative and Patient Way of Speaking
Next, you want to make sure that the doctor you pick is a good communicator. Someone who can listen and respond to your concerns without being rushed out the door is always the best option. It’s also good if they can explain things clearly so that there’s no confusion when it comes to diagnosis and treatment.
Having a patient doctor is also a plus because they can take the time to understand the fears and stresses that come with sickness.
Engaged and Interested Nature
You’ll want to make sure your doctor is involved and interested in your family’s well-being. You’ll find that a doctor that isn’t just trying to punch the clock will actually take the time needed to find solutions for problems faced.
At the same time, engaged physicians will know when it’s not necessary to dole out tests and prescriptions just for the sake of it.
A Clean and Accessible Clinic
Next, you’ll want to consider the quality of your doctor’s clinic. This is especially important if you have children or other family members who are nervous due to their first time at a hospital or doctor’s office.
A clean and organized office will make them feel less out of place. You’ll also want to make sure that it’s not so out of the way that it will be hard to get to when you need a quick check-up. Consider parking availability and surrounding areas as well.
The Proper Tools to Check Conditions
Even if your family doctor runs their own private clinic and isn’t in a hospital setting, they should have enough tools to properly check your vital signs and health. At the very least, you should expect to find a blood pressure monitor, stethoscope, scale, oximeter, and other tools that will allow them to assess your condition.
Wisdom in Knowing When to Refer
This may not seem like much, but many cases end up getting unnecessarily complicated because the ones handling them did not refer to the proper specialist in time or even shuffled their patients on to another doctor without checking if it’s necessary.
You know you can trust a doctor when they use the best of their knowledge and abilities but also know when it’s time to bring in a specialist.
Conclusion
While finding a family doctor may seem like a chore at first, it’s a relatively simple task that is worth it. When you find someone that’s a perfect fit, you can feel much more at ease in the long run.
Garden State Medical Group offers multidisciplinary integrative and functional medicine that is meant to advocate for patients. Reach out to us to find your family doctor.