Finding a high-quality, long-term primary care physician is one of the best things you can do for your health. Your doctor is your go-to person for health issues throughout your life. They provide you with expert advice on how to lead a healthy lifestyle, to carry out routine health checks and to support you when you are ill. Whether you have recently relocated or just need a change, this advice will help you find the right physician.

1. Ask for a personal referral

A good place to start is to ask your family, friends and colleagues about the physicians they work with. You will feel confident you are starting a relationship with a good doctor if they come highly recommended by someone you trust.

If you have recently moved, it might be a good idea to ask your previous doctor if they can recommend a reputable physician in your new location.

2.  Consider your convenience

It is also important to take into account the location of potential physician’s offices. Would it be more convenient for you if the office were in proximity to your place of work or home?  If you require regular appointments with your doctor, for example if you suffer from a chronic illness like arthritis, choose an office in a  convenient location. You may be able to search for local physician’s through your health insurance provider. Alternatively, enter your location into a search engine, e.g. primary care Littlton to produce relevant information.

It is also a good idea to consider the appointment days and times offered by each office. If your work and personal life commitments limit you to evening or weekend appointments, you will need to find a doctor that can meet these requirements.

3.  Schedule appointments

Your ultimate aim is to establish a long-term relationship with your physician that is based on trust. However, it can be difficult to be sure that you are making the right decision. It is perfectly acceptable to schedule a face-to-face meeting with a potential doctor. This will help you determine whether you feel comfortable in their presence and whether you see yourself having a continuing relationship with them.

At the appointment, discuss your particular health needs with the doctor to find out whether he or she can meet these requirements. For example, do you wish to see the same doctor for every appointment? If so, can the physician provide this standard of service? During your visit to the doctor’s office, you should also take into account the attitude of nurses and administration staff. Do they come across as friendly and efficient? All of these factors will help you in your selection of the right primary care physician.

As you can tell, finding the right primary care physician for you will require some time and effort. You should be looking for a doctor that is reputable and with whom you feel comfortable having personal conversations about your health. As well as that, convenience and whether they can meet your specific health requirements should be important factors in your decision.