Primary care providers (PCPs) play a central role in your overall health and
wellness. They are the central hub of your health care, monitoring
preventive care, managing chronic conditions, and coordinating health care
services. They serve as your first point of contact when you have a health
question or concern. After evaluating you, if they determine your health
condition is out of their scope, they will refer you to a specialist.
Types of Primary Care Providers in Pennsylvania
The term “primary care provider” encompasses a variety of health care
providers, including family physicians, internists, pediatricians, and nurse
practitioners. Although they all serve as your primary point of contact when
you have a health question or concern, there are slight differences in what
they do and who they treat.
• Family physicians: Family physicians treat people of all
ages, from infants and children to young adults and older adults. Having a
family physician is helpful because you have one point person for your whole
family, no matter their age. A family physician knows your whole family’s
medical history and can provide more personalized care.• Internists: Internists, or internal medicine doctors, only
care for adults. They can treat both simple and complex conditions from
early adulthood through old age. Internists may overlap with family
physicians in the care of teens and adults, but the difference is internists
do not treat infants and children.• Pediatricians: Pediatricians specialize in the care of
children of all ages, including infants, children, adolescents, and young
adults. They treat illness, injury, and chronic conditions. Pediatricians
may overlap with family physicians (who also treat infants, children, and
teens) but the difference is that family physicians also treat adults,
whereas pediatricians do not.• Nurse practitioners: Nurse practitioners (NPs) are
registered nurses with a four-year college degree and a graduate-level
degree. In Pennsylvania, NPs can perform physical exams, order and review
lab tests, prescribe medication, and diagnose and treat acute and chronic
disease and conditions. Some NPs treat all patients, whereas others can
specialize in, pediatrics or women’s health, for example. NPs provide the
same high-quality care as a doctor, and in some cases, may even have
more experience
than a doctor.
How to Find a PCP in Pennsylvania
If you’re looking for a new PCP in Pennsylvania, start by asking your
family, friends, neighbors, and other health care professionals for
referrals.
Online resources are also valuable tools when it comes to
finding a doctor in Pennsylvania. You can use insurance provider directories, research health care networks,
and read health care provider reviews to find PCPs in Pennsylvania.
How to Find a Good Doctor: Researching and Evaluating Primary Care
Providers in Pennsylvania
It’s important to do your research when evaluating PCPs, including reviewing
their credentials, checking patient reviews and ratings, and scheduling
initial consultations. You should consider their location, what insurance
they accept, their experience, and their communication style.
When evaluating whether a doctor is a good fit, use this list to make sure
you’re covering all your bases.
Check credentials and qualifications.
Verify that the doctor is board-certified in their specialty and has the
necessary training and qualifications. You can usually find this information
on their clinic website or through professional medical boards.
Consider location and accessibility.
Choose a doctor whose clinic is conveniently located and easily accessible
from your home or workplace. Consider factors such as parking availability,
public transportation options, and office hours.
Review office policies.
Inquire about office policies regarding appointments, scheduling,
after-hours care, prescription refills, and insurance coverage. Make sure
the doctor’s office accepts your health insurance plan.
Check for red flags.
Trust your instincts and avoid health care providers who raise concerns or
make you feel uncomfortable. Be wary of doctors with a history of
disciplinary actions, malpractice claims, or poor patient reviews.
Consider referrals.
Ask for recommendations from friends, family members, or other health care
providers. Personal referrals can provide valuable insight into a doctor’s
bedside manner, expertise, and quality of care.
Making the First Appointment with a PCP in Pennsylvania
Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, schedule an initial consultation
with the doctor to see if they are a good fit. When scheduling your initial
consultation, contact the provider’s office and provide the necessary
insurance and medical history information. You should also prepare a list of
any questions or concerns you may have.
At the consultation, come prepared to discuss your health concerns, ask
questions, and assess compatibility. Think of it as an interview. This is
your chance to get to know the doctor. You can determine if you feel
comfortable with them, if they listen to you and validate your
questions/concerns, and if you feel you are compatible with them.
Finding the Right PCP in Pennsylvania
Your primary care doctor plays a big role in your overall health, so it’s
important to take the time to do your research and find the doctor that’s
right for you and your health care needs.
And if you choose someone that ends up not being right for you? It’s okay to
make a change and find someone new. You want to build a trusted relationship
with your doctor, so it needs to feel right. Finding a doctor that you click
with makes all the difference when it comes to getting better health
outcomes.
With this comprehensive guide, you can take the first step towards finding
Dr. Right.
This content was originally published on
IBX Insights.