It’s Not You, It’s Me- Choosing the Right Provider for You and Your Family
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It’s not you, it’s me. An age old line that means somebody wants to break up. They’ve changed, we want different things, we’ve all been there. It all comes down to what a person really needs from someone else in their lives and in our fast paced and busy world, sometimes that someone can be our family physician.
In our age of seemingly infinite technologies, and information quite literally in the palm of our hands, our pool of choices is vast and deep. How can you choose between all of the excellent rated restaurants, boutiques, hotels and everything else we have to choose on a daily basis? It’s overwhelming, to say the least, and it’s no different when trying to find a family physician.
Having a family physician who meets your health needs is a relationship that should not be taken lightly. You’ll take this doctor to have and to hold, in sickness and in health!
So here are some tips to pick (or ditch) your provider.
Be Specific About Your Health and Care Needs.
Be honest with yourself about your health and what you and your family need from a doctor. No one knows your body and your needs better than you. A physician who understands your specific needs and sees you as a unique individual, will listen to your concerns and keep you knowledgeable of their professional opinions and experiences regarding your health.
Check with Your Insurance Company
There are several tools an insurance company has to check whether a doctor is “in network” or not. Visit your insurance website for a list of providers accessible in your area. You can also contact them by phone or email for the list. After you’ve checked with insurance, be sure to follow up with the doctor, or a short list of prospects and verify that your insurance would be accepted there.
Vet the Top Choices
Asking questions, and lots of them, is the first part of the vetting stage. As great as reviews may be, doing your own research helps with peace of mind and setting expectations.
Is the doctor taking new patients?
Is the doctor part of a group practice? If so, who are the other doctors that might help care for me?
Who will see me if my doctor isn’t available?
Which hospital does the doctor use?
Does the doctor have experience treating my medical conditions?
Does the doctor have special training or certifications?
You should also ask questions about the office and what services are available to you. For example, are evening and weekend appointments an option? Does this provider have x-ray services on site? Are virtual or Telehealth appointments available? Knowing your conveniences and what to expect at the office makes fitting visits into your own schedule easier and could save on potential fees from missed appointments or penalties for late arrivals.
Feel it Out
After booking your appointment, begin to make mental notes on your experience. Was making an appointment an easy process? Was there a convenient online scheduling option? Was the staff polite and helpful? Then, when it’s time for your appointment, trust your instincts. If you don’t feel a personal connection that particular physician might not be the one for you.
Did you feel respected and listened to? Was the provider kind and attentive to your concerns? Did you feel the spark?
“I Do” (or don’t)
If your first visit was all that you dreamed it would be, it’s time to pop the question, commit, and exchange your “I do’s.” Congratulations! You’ve finally found the one for you. Your health and well being now have the reinforcement of a caring, understanding expert. For the rest of us, it may be time to have “the talk” with our current providers.
Breaking up is hard to do, but remember, doctors are scientists, and scientists, with their curious minds, love feedback. So don’t be afraid to let them know your thoughts and feelings about why it just isn’t working out.
At the end of the day, you get to decide who is best for you and your family. After all, you will be the one sitting in the exam chair, listening to recommended treatments and suggestions for your health. Ultimately, your health is in your hands, but your doctor will play an important and sacred role in your life. And, if the day comes where you can’t see eye to eye, have the courage to say, “it’s not you, it’s me.”
Your family’s health matters at Campbell County Health. The Campbell County Medical Group Family Medicine Clinic offers healthcare for people of all demographics. Language services are available for members of the community who would like to communicate in another language.
For more information, or to find the one physician for you, check out our webpage at: https://www.cchwyo.org/services/family-medicine/
References
Choosing a Doctor: Quick Tips - MyHealthfinder | health.gov. (n.d.). Health.gov. Retrieved August 12, 2022, from https://health.gov/myhealthfinder/doctor-visits/regular-checkups/choosing-doctor-quick-tips
Family Medicine Doctors in Gillette, WY. (n.d.). Campbell County Health. Retrieved August 12, 2022, from https://www.cchwyo.org/services/family-medicine/
Gordon, M. (2019, July 8). How To Pick A Doctor (Or Break Up With One). NPR. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/07/08/739039046/how-to-pick-a-doctor-or-break-up-with-one
