Having a primary care doctor who you like and can trust is extremely important. This is the provider you will visit and speak to most often, whether it's for preventive care or for a chronic condition. In order for you to get the most out of your care, you must be able to speak openly and feel as if they are truly listening to you.
But how do you find the right doctor for your needs?
In an ideal world, you would be able to line up physicians in a room and ask them questions. Then you could choose the best fit for your needs, on the spot. Unfortunately, that's not possible. So what are the alternatives? How do you find the best primary care doctor for you?
Research
There is a wealth of information available online now. Here are a few things you can search for to help with your decision:
- Where is the doctor located? Check to make sure the location is convenient and you'll be able to get to and from appointments easily.
- Are they board certified? Most doctors are, but it's always a good idea to double check.
- Do they have any disciplinary actions from the Board of Medical Examiners? It's not uncommon for a doctor to have a couple of complaints, but disciplinary action means the board has found them at fault for something.
- Check their online presence. Do they have a website or social media? If they do, take a little time to read their posts to get a feel for them.
Great! All of the preliminary research is done, but what do you do now?
Make an Appointment
There's no better way to determine if you've found the best primary care physician for you than by actually speaking with them. Schedule an appointment and use this as a form of interview. Here are a few tips:
- How is the facility? Take a look around and check if the office is clean and organized. See if it feels welcoming.
- Is the office staff friendly? Speak to one or two people to determine if they are warm and friendly.
- How long did you have to wait for your appointment? Some doctors have more patients than they really have time for. Make sure the wait time is up to your requirements.
- Ask the doctor questions. If you have a pre-existing condition, you may want to ask the doctor to tell you more about the condition or if there are alternatives to the medications you are taking. If you don't have any medical conditions, you may want to ask them questions about their prescription preferences. For minor illnesses, do they prefer a more holistic approach or would the prefer to prescribe something?
- Use your intuition. Did you feel the doctor took their time explaining things and listening to your concerns? Do you feel you can trust them with your care?
The most important thing is to feel comfortable with your doctor and to believe they can provide you with the care you need.
If you're looking for the best primary care doctor in Reno, call us to schedule an appointment. We would love to meet you and begin working with you to keep you healthy!