Many insurance policies today make you choose a primary care physician. You are usually given a list of doctors that are in their preferred provider network and asked to choose one. The network is a group of physicians and other medical professionals who have contracted with the insurance carrier to provide certain services at a set price. The network may include specialists, but they are not typically included on the list of primary care physicians to choose from. This is because in order to help keep costs down, the insurance company want people to see a specialist only if their primary care physician determines you actually need to see one.
So what type of physician should you choose for your primary care physician? Many people choose a pediatrician for their kids, then choose an internist for themselves and their spouse. Another option is to simply choose one family medicine physician for everyone.
What Is A Family Medicine Physician?
A doctor who is a family medicine physician has had three years of specialized training after graduating from medical school. This three years is referred to as the residency. During this time, a doctor who is interested in family medicine does a rotation, or a set period of time, in many specialties. He or she will complete a tour of duty in pediatrics, in gynecology, in obstetrics, internal medicine, nephrology, or kidney issues, endocrinology, which is things related to the endocrine system, such as diabetes, neurology, emergency medicine, and psychiatry.
This rotation process creates a well-rounded doctor who has seen it all by the time the residency period is over. He or she has had the opportunity to work alongside physicians in each of the specialties, giving them the opportunity to see both the common and not-so-common issues patients present with. This can be a big advantage to the future patient. Here are three more.
They Develop A Working Relationship With The Family
When every member of the family sees the same doctor, both the doctor and the patients have more opportunity to interact with one another. By developing rapport over time, a sense of trust is built. The physician also has the opportunity to observe the family dynamics closer and potentially see problems before they arise.
The Family Medical History Is Under One Roof
Instead of having every family member- and their health records- scattered among the medical community, they are all in one place. This can be useful when it comes to things such as recognizing environmental diseases, family issues, and genetic disorders.
It's Convenient
Rather than having to take the children one place and yourself somewhere else, you can make group appointments if the entire family is ill. You don't need to run around, which saves time and money.
For more information, contact establishments like Peninsula Community Health Services- Medical (Cottonwood).
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