Find a Doctor Near You

Best Advice to Find a Doctor Near You that Can Suit Your Family’s Needs

If you have recently relocated to a new community or you’re actively searching to find a doctor near you, this decision is truly an important and, potentially life-saving one.

Although you would often analyse family partnerships and relationships to the minutest detail, you’d seldom evaluate your rapport with your family’s GP. Moving far from the GP you were comfortable with is, therefore, sometimes a blessing in disguise. It forces you to start afresh and find a doctor near you that, not only best suits your family’s needs but one that can grow with you and your family. However, new beginnings often come with new responsibilities and challenges.

Understanding that choosing your next GP is an extremely important decision, we at Intercare would like to recommend a few suggestions that you might want to consider when trying to find a doctor near you that will best suit your family’s needs.

1. Discuss Specifics First

It is always a great way to start by asking for referrals from family, friends, neighbours, or work colleagues when searching to find a doctor near you. Internet research and previous patient opinions can also be helpful but, even before you begin exploring these avenues, first discuss specifics with your family, for example, what gender or language preferences they might have.

In the years ahead, you or a family member will probably have to share very personal information with this individual about various conditions. As such,  it is vitally important that you can openly communicate medical concerns and clearly understand the doctor's diagnosis and their planned route of medical treatment. With that, you should also feel relaxed, comfortable, and confident enough with your GP to discuss any ailments or conditions that are personal in nature.  

Don’t be perplexed though, should you find a doctor that meets all of your stringent requirements but just so happens to be on the opposite side of the elected language or gender preferences. It might be advisable to go with them anyway. They could always refer you to a colleague or specialist if talking about a specific ailment causes you some confusion or discomfort.

2. Empathy and Bedside Manners

It is advisable to find a doctor that has empathy and understands your family as human beings. A GP that looks beyond your medical file, focuses directly on you and listens to you as an individual, shows that they care about both your emotional and medical wellbeing. You need to find a doctor that takes your ailments seriously without brushing your concerns aside or dismissing your symptoms with contempt.

Bedside manners are also important. In today’s impersonal, fast-paced society, you need to find a doctor that can professionally diagnose your symptoms, taking your condition into account while still being kind, caring, and considerate of your emotions and possible insecurities.

3. Wanting to get to Know You

In your pursuit to find a doctor that can suit your family’s needs, you ‘ll want to find a GP that is interested in your family’s lives. Wanting to learn about you and your family shows that they care and shows their focus on the patient as a whole being rather than just another body. Also, being interested in finding out more about your family and their history might make the diagnosis of ailments and conditions a less complicated process.

This element of care can also be seen when the practice or a member of their support staff phone you back within a reasonable amount of time to address a concern or offer advice that you might have inquired about. This is also evident when doctors phone ahead with the results of tests that you might have undertaken. Having the support of their entire team allows you to feel a sense of empowerment in managing your family’s health.

4. Staying In the Know

Although it is very impressive to see the various qualifications, certificates, and diplomas neatly framed and arranged in your GP’s office, it is always relevant to find a doctor that has kept abreast with the modern advances in the medical profession. If in doubt, feel free to ask them. This is particularly important when it comes to more complicated medical cases that could benefit significantly from new medical advances and technologies. A GP that has kept in the know will be happy to share this information with you. They will also have knowledge of medications, treatments, and techniques for various ailments.

5. Affordability

Not all medical aids or health insurance companies accept all medical practices, rooms or centres and vice versa. In your research to find a doctor, try to ascertain whether your medical cover will accommodate the choices you have made. Likewise, ascertain whether your cover will accept specialists or hospitals that your choice of GP is affiliated with. Regardless of medical cover, should you find a doctor that you feel completely comfortable with and who understands the needs of your family, you might want to consider choosing them anyway, making allowances in your budget to accommodate these visits.

6. Availability and Location

It is pointless if you find a doctor that is just perfect for your family, but you can never get an appointment to see them, or they are simply too far out of the way. A GP must be reachable in both availability and locality. Of course, you would have to make allowances if they are running late because of a prior emergency. If it was you or a family member that was in distress, you would appreciate patients being a little sympathetic in this instance. Nonetheless, in case of an emergency, you will want your GP’s rooms to be within an acceptable distance from you. When you find a doctor that you are happy with, ensure that you can reach them and, more importantly, get to see them.

Find a Doctor Near You

Consider investigating Intercare. We are conveniently located in most of South Africa’s major Metropoles and surrounding suburbs, and you can easily book consultations online. This makes us easily accessible and easy to find.

Our specifically selected primary care doctors, their partners and support staff are approachable, friendly, qualified, and highly competent. Always having you and your family’s best interests at heart. Our practicing rooms are hygienic, presentable, and professional with specialised facilities always close at hand.

Visit us at Intercare, or book a consultation online and we will find you a doctor near you that will suit all of your family’s needs just perfectly. We also offer comprehensive dental care, thus offering a one-stop solution for both medical and dental needs. Get in touch with us for more information, and we will happily advise you on the next steps.

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