4 Reasons You Need A Primary Care Doctor
Posted on: 27 November 2018
It can be hard to find a new doctor. If you've ever had trouble finding a doctor accepting new patients, you've probably considered doing without a primary care doctor and using walk-in clinics instead. However, primary care doctors play an important role in your health care. Here are four reasons that you absolutely need a primary care doctor:
1. Excellent record-keeping
Whenever you visit a new doctor, you need to have your medical records transferred. Sometimes you may forget to request the medical records, or something may be lost in transit. Any time you need to start a new set of records, that's an opportunity for some information to be lost. By sticking with your primary care doctor, you can rest safe in the knowledge that they have access to your whole medical history.
2. Build rapport
The human element can't be overlooked. Doctors are people too, and the doctor-patient relationship is just that: a relationship. When you visit the same doctor over several years, you get to know one another. You'll be able to build a professional level of familiarity that can make your doctor's appointments much more comfortable and pleasant.
3. Better diagnoses
When you see a new doctor for the first time, you have a lot of explaining to do. You need to tell them about any medications you're taking, allergies you may have, as well as preexisting conditions. As a busy person, it makes sense that some of that information may slip your mind. However, it's harder for doctors to make a correct diagnosis when they don't have all the facts. A primary care doctor that you've been seeing for years will have intimate, firsthand knowledge of your unique situation. This helps them to be able to spot patterns in your symptoms so they can deliver a correct diagnosis.
4. Doctor's notes
Unfortunately, some workplaces still require a doctor's note for leaves of absence. This can be a real problem if you don't have a primary care physician. Most doctors have full schedules with appointments booked for a week or more in advance; it can be impossible for you to get a doctor's appointment on short notice. When you have a relationship with a primary care doctor, they can usually fit you in for a same-day appointment if it's an emergency. You may even be able to call their office and get a doctor's note over the phone.
Don't give up on finding a primary care doctor. With a little research, you can find a doctor who can serve you and your family well. These are just a few of the reasons that choosing a primary family physician is the right option.
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