5 Top Tips for Choosing A New Primary Care Physician

Choosing a primary care physician is as important as taking care of your overall healthcare and is the first step in managing your overall health effectively. You should take extra precautions when selecting a private GP in London because the doctor will be the first person you visit whenever you have a medical need, medical emergency, or going for screenings or just routine checkups. In cases that require a specialist's expertise, it is your private physician that will refer you to a specialist.

It is also important to consider the length of time you will require a primary or private care physician's services. This is because you would want to select a physician you feel comfortable with. Whether you are planning a long term or short term relationship with your physician, you should select one that will meet all your health needs as well as someone qualified and experienced in their field.

Below are 5 tips on choosing a new primary care physician

1. Find a doctor with expertise that meets your needs

When it comes to primary care physician, several types of doctors can be identified as primary care physicians. For example, doctors who practice family medicine, general medicine, internal medicine can serve as primary care physician. There are even pediatricians that can serve as primary care physicians for your child.

a) Family practice

Family practice physicians or doctors who practice family medicine are those doctors who treat patients of all ages, whether newborn or older people. Besides treating people of all ages, they can also treat different ailments and are usually the ones you would see if you need a specialist.

b) General practice

General practice physicians are similar to family practice physicians because they can attend to patients of any age and gender. The difference between these two lies in the area of specialisation and types of care. In General practice, you may find a specialisation category such as osteopathy, a type of alternative medicine that focuses on the musculoskeletal system.

c) Internal practice

Internal practice physicians are those physicians that specialise in the treatment of adults and the prevention, management and diagnosis of chronic diseases and conditions.

2. Find the doctors that are in-network

There are certain health plans for which negotiations and discounted rates have already been made with certain doctors and hospitals in that area. This is for insurance purposes, and such doctors are called in-network doctors. When you visit such doctors, you will only pay less out of your pocket. Getting an in-network doctor will help you avoid paying full charge just in case they do not accept your insurance plan. You can find a list of in-doctors in your area by searching the doctor's directory.

3. Ask for referrals

Most people feel more comfortable visiting doctors recommended to them by a close friend, family, neighbour, or even colleague. You can ask your friends or someone familiar to recommend a primary care physician they know, or even the one they visit. You can also ask another healthcare professional, like a nurse or a dentist that you are close to, for recommendations. If you need a primary care physician because you are moving to a new location, you can ask your current doctor for a recommendation in the new location you will be moving to.

4. Pay attention to the logistics

Before making your choice on a new primary care physician, be sure to cover all important factors like

• Location

• Proximity to your house

• Working hours

• Language

These factors and more should be considered carefully before you make your choice. For instance, would you want a physician that is closer to your home or closer to the office? Can you cope with the working hours of the physician? Would you have to take time off to visit the doctor, or would you have to schedule appointments on weekends? What are the days and times you would have to visit the physician? Will the physician be able to understand your language clearly, and vice versa?

All these are some of the questions you need to find answers to before you make your choice. Also, find out if you and your physician will be able to communicate through email or any online portal.

5. Pay the doctor a visit

This should be the last thing you do before you finally settle for a physician. Visiting the physician physically will give you an idea of what you will be expecting in future. Bear in mind that you should feel very comfortable with your physician, so try as much as possible to test the waters and see if you will be comfortable with them. Speak with the physician about your current medical state, treatment and any medications you may be undergoing, just to be sure that you both are on the same page concerning your health issues.

Furthermore, when you visit, pay attention to the people who work with the physician and how they relate and treat other patients. Also, take note of how they handle medical issues and their overall service delivery.

Are you ready to find a primary care physician? Let us help you make that choice. we can help you get a private GP in London.