How to Find a Doctor for Your Specific Needs and Lifestyle
You may be on the lookout for a trusted general practitioner (GP) who you can rely on to oversee your family’s health and well-being due to recently relocating to a new area, changing medical aid schemes, financial reasons, or simply to find a doctor who aligns better with your particular needs and lifestyle. Perhaps you are asking yourself the question: “How do I find a doctor near me that I can feel comfortable with?”
The community of health professionals at Intercare Medical and Dental Clinics understands that your life circumstances, geographical location and medical needs may change as you mature, get married, have children or change professions. For these reasons and more, this article informs you of ways to find a doctor you can trust with your family’s health and well-being, and the importance of having a long-term relationship with one doctor, if possible.
Find a Permanent General Practitioner as Soon as Possible
It is vitally important to find a doctor to whom you can entrust your and your loved ones’ health as soon as possible. Your primary GP supports you in taking care of your general health. When you switch doctors regularly, they only see a snapshot of your immediate medical condition. They are not as informed of your medical history, previous conditions, treatments, and medication other than what you share with them. They may not have documented history of types of medications that might affect you negatively or treatments that may not agree with you.
A well-qualified doctor that keeps up to date with modern medical practices and procedures is versed in general medicine. They can treat most conditions, from infections, aches, sprains, colds and flu to managing more serious chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes and more. They can provide guidance on how to manage your diet, lose or gain weight, give up smoking, and offer other solutions to improve your lifestyle. If they detect signs or symptoms of a more serious condition or illness, they can run the appropriate tests or refer you for specialised treatment. The more au fait your GP is regarding your medical history, and the better they know you as an individual, the better they will be able to treat you.
The Importance of Maintaining a Relationship with One Primary Doctor
Seeing a GP that knows you and your medical history enables them to deliver treatment that best suits you and your lifestyle. Invariably, consulting with one doctor may also save you time and money. Some practices accommodate their existing patients before arranging appointments with new patients, which could save you time. If you are not on a medical scheme or prefer to pay out-of-pocket for minor ailments and medical conditions, your regular doctor will be aware of this and prescribe equally effective but more cost-efficient medication, saving you money.
Inversely, seeing multiple doctors can result in the duplication of tests, X-rays and other procedures which may be unnecessary, expensive and time-consuming. Additionally, you may be prescribed medication that doesn’t interact well with other medications that you may be taking and may not necessarily be aware of how your body reacts to illness.
Perhaps most importantly, you become comfortable with one primary healthcare provider. You develop a meaningful relationship of trust with them that might last decades. Discussing private matters, like sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or alcohol or drug abuse, and personal health concerns, like incontinence issues or erectile dysfunction may seem less intimidating because you feel that you can share with them openly and honestly. This transparency doesn’t only assist your doctor with diagnostic procedures, but they can prescribe more accurate treatment and medication quicker, which ultimately benefits your health sooner by potentially shortening your recovery time.
6 Ways to Find a Doctor You Can Get to Know
There are many ways to find a doctor that is a good fit for you. Ask for referrals from other health professionals that you do know, like your local pharmacist, nurses at your local clinic, or even your dentist. If you are relocating, you could ask your current doctor whether they could recommend a doctor in the area. The following can help you find a doctor near you:
- Ask people you trust, like friends, family, neighbours or work colleagues who their trusted doctors are and where they are located. Location is an important factor if you need them to be close to your home, your kids’ school or your work.
- Approach your medical scheme or your medical insurance broker for a list of approved doctors in your area. It is a great way to find a doctor for whom you are covered for incurred medical expenses.
- Investigate doctors that are general practitioners and can treat most conditions, but also determine if their approach aligns with your interests and lifestyle. For instance, if you are a sports fanatic or have a child who falls ill frequently, some GPs focus on sports injuries or paediatrics.
- Understanding your doctor is another vitally important factor to explore. Search for a GP that speaks a language that both of you speak and understand fluently. Your doctor might be extremely competent and knowledgeable, but problems may arise when it comes to the diagnosis or treatment of ailments if communication is unclear.
- If you suffer from a chronic illness or are bedridden and need to see your doctor more frequently, consider finding a GP who offers a virtual consultation. You can discuss your condition, ask for advice or refill prescriptions online without physically attending their consultation room.
- Ask these questions: Which emergency room would your new doctor refer you to? Do they have easy access to dental practices and other specialised care like sub-acute rehabilitation hospitals and day hospitals, physiotherapy and X-ray departments? Would your GP offer facilities like these that are also covered by your medical aid provider?
Where to Find the Ideal Doctor Who Fits Your Lifestyle
Searching for just the right doctor also includes one that is easy to talk to and friendly, listens to your concerns and offers informed advice. It should be someone who is professional and has an excellent bedside manner.
Conveniently located in most cities and their adjacent suburbs, the doctors at Intercare Medical and Dental Clinics await your call. We offer treatment for most medical conditions, and our compassionate staff and crew are always willing to assist. Intercare – because your health comes first.
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