Choosing a primary doctor/choosing your doctor.
Your primary doctor is your main doctor, because you may need to have multiple doctors. If you need only one doctor then that should be your primary doctor because he is your main doctor. He should be the first one you ask about your health or the health of your family. A primary doctor cares for many of your nonemergency cases (for example cough, fever, sore throat), he ask about your health history, recommends tests and screenings. This primary doctor is the one who will refer you to a specialist in case he needs an in depth opinion to a particular field in medicine.
Everyone should have a primary doctor (physician). He sees the big picture, your health in general and refers you to a specialist if needed. A specialist is more focus in a specific area of medicine. Seeing the entire picture before focusing to one specific area is the best way to care for your health - it is having more medical expert opinions and not one sided.
Here is St. Anne General Hospital, Inc. recommendations in choosing your primary physician or doctor:
- Communicates in terms you can understand. Tries to explain things to you in a non medical term. Communication is very important if you don’t understand each other your health will be affected. He or she answers your questions and explain it to you.
- Give advice on how to prevent illness or disease and give suggestions on how to improve your health.
- Recommends only necessary laboratory test, exams, screenings.
- Treats common illnesses and injuries.
- Involves you as a partner in your health care - asks your opinion, listens to your concerns.
- Explain other options
- Offers referrals to highly qualified specialist when it is beyond his or her expertise.
- Is board-certified, had additional training after med school and has passed an exam in medical specialty.
- Looks for the best way to treat/care for you health. For example, outright surgery may not always be the best option, so a primary physician or doctor will look for other alternatives to care for you health.
- Have been in practice for a very long time. Medical experience is the advantage that a very good doctor can give you.
- Love his or her patients and knows the value of your health.
- A dedicated professional who tirelessly improves his medical knowledge for better health care.
Here at St. Anne General Hospital, Inc. we have excellent primary doctors who posses all the 12 qualities above.
Primary doctor (physician) include:
- Family medicine physicians
- Internal medicine physicians (for adolescents to adults of all ages)
- Obstetricians/Gynecologists (for females)
- Pediatricians (for babies and children)
Find a primary doctor today you may contact us now.