Confused About What to Look For in a Family Doctor?

Finding a family doctor is a difficult venture these days with so many doctors cutting back on the number of patients they take on. But just because a family doctor has an opening, doesn't necessarily mean you should take him on. There are a few questions to keep in mind when you are selecting a family doctor, which are given below.

Does he listen to your concerns? A good family doctor will listen to you and what you are worried about, not just do an exam or write a prescription quickly to get you out of the office. Any family doctor who tends to rush through the oral consultation should be crossed off your list, since he is less likely to listen when you have real concerns. You will end up being more frustrated than helped by a doctor who doesn't listen.

Does he allow multiple patients in one visit? Strange as it may sound, there are many family doctors who don't allow more than one patient per visit. Obviously, it is better for a family to come in all at once, and have the doctor check two or three children in the same appointment. Not many parents are willing to come in on separate days with different children, so make sure your family doctor accepts multiple patients.

What is his emergency policy? Can you call this family doctor in the middle of the night if your child is having trouble breathing or is running a high fever? While a pediatrician might be available 24-7, some family doctors are not, so you need to check this out ahead of time.

How long does it take to get an appointment? If you have to wait months to get a free booking, this is probably not the family doctor you are looking for. Children tend to get sick on fairly short notice and you will want to be able to see your family doctor as soon as possible, not months down the road. Some family doctors allow special rush visits for kids who are very ill, while others stick to the strict appointment policy. You should also ask about cancellations, if you can wait to see if there is a cancellation and take that person's spot.