Your general practitioner (GP) is your go-to medical person for nearly all of your healthcare needs, so you want a doctor who is experienced and excellent at practicing medicine. Your GP is someone who examines you, treats you, advises you, collects all of the records from the medical specialists you see, makes sure your vaccinations are up-to-date, and makes sure that you aren’t taking any medications which have contraindications against each other (i.e., that they counteract each other or have a harmful effect on your body).
Most people do not do any research on a doctor before plowing ahead and making an appointment. Let’s talk about some of the key mistakes that people make when choosing a general practitioner, what you can do to be proactive and make the best decision for you, and where you can start your search in finding an outstanding physician in South Florida and Central Florida.
Mistake #1: Not Seeking Recommendations
Choosing a GP without first consulting local friends, family members, or even your favorite medical specialist may prove to be a mistake. If you only look for a doctor on your health insurance list who is the nearest to you, then you may be missing out on excellent healthcare – thereby possibly sacrificing your future good health for mere convenience.
Remember to ask others’ opinions about doctors who specialize in the specific type of primary healthcare you need. Are you a senior who needs a doctor to keep you as healthy as possible during your golden years? Are you someone who is on a governmental financial-assistance program, so you need a general practitioner who accepts Medicaid?
Don’t hesitate to ask others for their recommendations about good doctors in your area.
Mistake #2: Not Checking Certifications and Experience
Licensing, certification, and experience are an important part of a doctor’s practice of medicine. For every general practitioner you’re considering, look at their website and read their bio. Is the doctor board-certified? Do they have varied and expansive experience practicing medicine in the U.S.?
A doctor’s online bio will give you a lot of the basic information you’re looking for about them. You can trust the information you find about them on their own website.
Mistake #3: Not Checking Reviews About the General Practitioner
Some general practitioners are licensed, certified, skilled, and highly experienced, but they have a poor bedside manner with patients. There are several places online these days where you can read the reviews by patients for a given doctor; read through these reviews and look for patterns.
However, be careful. Some doctors have competitors in the area who have hired anti-reviewers who write negative reviews about a doctor, so consider whether it truly sounds like the person had an in-person experience with the doctor or if they’re just being general. Again, look for patterns, and look for specificity and honesty.
General Practitioners in South Florida and Central Florida
Your general practitioner is your advocate for your health and wellness. Our general practitioners here at Palm Medical Centers are highly skilled, reputable, and compassionate. Our practitioners are also specialized in senior care.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with one of our outstanding general practitioners, call us today at (833) 500-PALM (7256) or fill out our online contact form now. We look forward to serving you!
