A primary care doctor, also known as a family doctor, is more than just a doctor for most. Primary care providers don’t just provide symptom-based interventions. Over time, they understand one’s case history thoroughly and provide reliable references of healthcare specialists if required. They also forge a relationship of trust and stability with the patient. Below are some tips that can help one find a primary care physician or family doctor nearby:

Verify the doctor’s credentials
It is imperative to check a doctor’s qualifications, relevant experience, license, fellowship training, and other such details before finalizing the healthcare professional. Besides checking these details on the doctor or clinic’s website, one should verify such information through the Federation of Medical Boards website, which provides one with accurate professional details on doctors.

Look for doctors covered in the health insurance plan
Reputed health insurance policies cover esteemed hospitals and clinics in which primary healthcare providers may operate. Browsing the list of doctors covered in one’s insurance policy helps one seek good-quality treatment while being financially reimbursed. While health insurance plans may not cover self-initiated health checkups, most of them cover one annual checkup with a primary care provider.

Check the different modes of consultation offered
Gone are the days when patients had to be seated in crowded waiting rooms regardless of one’s health condition, waiting for their turn at clinics. Today, online consultations have facilitated incredible convenience, allowing patients to consult doctors from the comfort of their homes. Although doctors may want to physically examine patients for the initial consultation, follow-up rounds may be carried out virtually. Thus, one should check out the different modes of consultation a doctor offers before shortlisting him/her as the primary care provider.

Check whether the doctor practices as part of a group
Some primary care providers practice individually, whereas others may practice as part of a group of doctors. In the latter scenario, other doctors in the group, such as an assistant, may also provide consultation and treatment. It helps to know whether a primary care provider functions independently or in a group; if the doctor is part of a group, one should also inquire about the other doctors’ professional qualifications and experience.

Check the clinic’s quality
Although checking a primary care provider’s expertise and experience in the field is the first step to shortlisting a doctor, the clinic’s quality plays a crucial role in the doctor’s efficacy. A clinic should be well-equipped with the latest infrastructure and technology to facilitate efficient diagnosis and advanced treatment. Moreover, it should be well-staffed to ensure adequate patient assistance and care.

Schedule an initial consultation round
An initial consultation round is essential to understand whether the primary care provider is able to implement his/her learnings in practice. Moreover, such consultations enable one to understand the doctor’s communication and listening skills and genuine willingness to help patients. These qualities are particularly important in primary care providers, as they typically go on to treat patients on a long-term basis. During this consultation, one should be open about one’s history of health conditions, the existence of any health issues in the family, and any current health concerns. Such openness on the part of patients makes it easier for doctors to understand their requirements and the approach to be followed.

Check online reviews and general feedback
Online reviews can help one understand the doctor’s genuineness and expertise through other patients’ personal experiences. Further, one should speak with family members, friends, colleagues, etc., to gather more information on the doctor.

Essentially, a thorough consideration of the doctor’s expertise, the services offered, and the cost of such services can help one figure out the most suitable primary care provider nearby. One can initiate the search by looking up the words “best primary care physicians near me” to learn of the doctors in the locality.