- Talk to your friends and see who they trust.
- If the doctor you want isn’t listed in an insurance network, call that doctor’s office and check. Sometimes a physician’s name is accidentally left out.
- Check to see how easy it is to contact the doctor during office hours and after hours.
- Look at the hospital the doctor is affiliated with and ask: Is it a hospital that you like?
- Set up an appointment to sit and talk with the doctor. Ask yourself: Does this person sound like the right physician for me?
Here’s Why You Need a Primary Care Physician
Sticking with the same doctor over years can help your health. But finding the right doctor can be difficult.
If you want to stay healthy, picking a good primary care physician can be key.
In a report published last week, researchers found that American adults with primary care physicians are more likely to receive “high value” services such as regular cancer screenings, diagnostic testing, diabetes checkups, and counseling, compared to those without primary care.
These seemingly routine services can be lifesaving, especially in the case of cancer screening.
But for many people, finding a primary care physician to see on a regular basis can be difficult. The research authors hope by drawing attention to the long-term benefits of primary care, medical and government officials can take steps to improve access to care.
The report authors conducted what they call a first-of-its-kind comparison study by quantifying the experiences of 49,286 adults with primary care and 21,133 adults without. They wanted to see how Americans with similar health status, demographics, and other factors answered when asked about those primary care visits, including questions on the “four C’s” of primary care: first contact, comprehensive health care, and continuous and coordinated care.
Those with primary care reported better patient experience and overall healthcare access compared to those who didn’t see a primary care physician regularly, according to the study, which was published in the Journal of American Medical Association Internal Medicine. Researchers said those experiences remained stable from 2002 to 2014.
“Our advance was to look at healthcare for Americans who were otherwise as similar as possible — but did or did not have primary care.”
Linder said the results validated what primary care physicians have known all along about the importance of consistent care when it comes to prevention. He and the co-authors of the study conclude the results should show why policymakers and health systems should consider increasing investments in primary care.