Choosing a Provider: An Exercise in Trust

Choosing a provider is a critical aspect of achieving excellent health. If you do not trust the physician you see, you will not share vital information that could affect your provider’s diagnosis or care. You could see several types of providers, but the most important to your ongoing health is your primary care provider.

Primary care is how we prevent illness and treat disease when needed. Primary care comes in a couple of forms.

Family care or general practice focuses on all aspects of the family, from birth through older adults. They are generalists who monitor your health and treat everyday illnesses or disease processes.
Internal medicine: focus primarily on adults and treat disease or chronic conditions.

There are several types of providers you can choose from. Doctors have two types of training, Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs). They have the same medical training, but DOs tend to have a more holistic, whole-person care approach than an MD. Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs or APRNs) are also providers of primary care medicine. Trained to provide wellness focus and treat disease and chronic illnesses, APRNs focus on the whole person and holistic care.

There are several things to consider when selecting your primary care provider.
Are they in the network? Ensuring the person, you receive care from is covered by your insurance is essential, so you are not stuck with a hefty service bill.

Are there specific areas that they focus on that you need? High blood pressure, diabetes, or other chronic illnesses are a few examples.
Did a friend or other provider refer you? A direct reference to a provider is a great way to find a great fit, especially if you’re new to an area or need a new provider.
Finally, visit them! Remember, you are not stuck with a provider that isn’t a good fit. If you see someone and don’t feel they listened or were a good match for your needs, it’s ok to look for someone else!

Some individuals have a poor experience with a provider and then don’t return to anyone after that. It’s also easy to let time get away from you; before you know it, a year or several have passed. But it is critical to see a provider regularly. For those under 50 without chronic illnesses, you should see a provider at least every three years. Those over 50 with chronic disease or symptoms should see a provider yearly. A few reasons are below.

You can detect a potentially life-threatening disease early
It keeps your physician aware of changes to your condition that may be crucial to early intervention.
Able to stay up to date on vaccines and routine blood tests.
Higher level of comfort discussing issues when they arise.
Referrals to specialists when needed.

The most crucial action you can take for your health is to be proactive! Identifying potential problems by having a provider you are comfortable with, who knows your history well, and whom you take the time to see can keep you healthy and hopefully lead to a longer and fuller life.

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Reference

How often should you get routine checkups at the doctor ?https://www.healthline.com/health/how-often-should-you-get-routine-checkups-at-the-doctor#how-often. Retrieved July 5, 2023