How to Find a Family Doctor
When you're not feeling so good, the first person you usually see is your family doctor. For emergencies, you would certainly go to a hospital, but as soon as you've had your treatment, you will still be instructed to visit your family doctor for a follow up. In short, this medical professional has a very important role to play in both your health and life, so you should choose one with great care.
First off, you need a doctor like Dr. Combs IEHP who will truly care for you as a patient. Of course, this doctor can't be there for you 24 hours a day, but you should feel a human connection with him somehow. You should choose a doctor whom you can really trust, and one who makes you feel that he genuinely cares.
So how do you find this kind of family doctor? The easiest is obviously to use the family doctor you had with your parents. But what happens if that doctor is no longer in practice? Well, referrals are always easy to get from relatives, friends, coworkers, etc.
If you're relocating to a new town or city, your best bet - unless your old family doctor like Dr Combs IEHP Physician or a friend in that new place can provide referrals - the Internet is your best resource. If your only bet is an online search, find those local referral services which can really be useful. Or you can search for your community online, particularly its chamber of commerce website. Almost all places have one, and there will likely be doctors' listings there. If your insurance is HMO, your choices will be limited to network doctors, so you have to check which doctors these are.
Once you have a good prospect, pay the doctor a visit to get a routine check-up, then see how you like him. While you're there, ask what services they offer and what their clinic hours. If you have a spouse and children, their opinion of the doctor should matter too. How well does the physician treat you and how careful is he with a test or exam? Is he in a rush? Is he caring and knowledgeable?
Another thing you have to consider is how long you have to wait to get an appointment. If it might be a month or maybe longer, you have to check somewhere else. And when you're already in the clinic, how long do you need to wait to be seen? A whole morning may not be a good idea. For more facts and information regarding family physicians, you can go to http://www.ehow.com/how_4456524_become-family-physician.html.
Above all, know that there is no reason to see a doctor you're not happy with. There are many doctors in most places, and a shortage hardly ever exists. Just keep looking and you'll soon find the perfect doctor for your family's needs.
