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If you’re one of those
people who’ll spend days looking for the perfect mechanic for your car, yet will pick a doctor randomly from the benefits
booklet, consider this:
Your primary care doctor
can have tremendous influence over your health. In addition, there are many primary care doctors with different styles and
approaches. “You might have a better if you find a primary care doctor who fits your style,” says Shawn Ewbank,
M.D., a family practice doctor with Legacy Clinic Canby.
Because having a good relationship
with your primary care is so integral to your health, consider these tips on selecting and working with your doctor.
Selecting a doctor
These guidelines should help
you find a doctor you like.
1). To
gather names of good doctors, ask other doctors, friends or family members, or the manager of your health plan. A good source
is Legacy Referral Service, 503-335-3500, or at www.legacyhealth.org/findadoctor
2). You may want to select
a type of primary care physician:
* Internal medicine: doctors for adults; they are trained to treat problems medically.
* OB/GYN: Many women use
their gynecologists as their primary care doctor.
* Family practice: doctors
who care for children, teens, and adults, often in the same family.
* Pediatrics: doctors for
children up to age 18.
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* Others: In some cases,
non-physicians such as midwives, nurse practitioners or physician assistants can serve as primary care providers.
3). Because primary care physicians refer you to a specialists associated with your hospital, contact your
health plan to make sure the doctor is on your health plan and has privileges at the hospital of your choice.
4). Have
your medical records transferred to your new doctor.
Maximizing
your visit
Some tips for maximizing
your appointment:
1). When making an appointment, tell the scheduler all the issues you’d like to cover. At the outset
of the appointment, tell the doctor if you have more than one matter to discuss.
2). Know you family history, research your condition and write down your questions.
3). For any visit, bring your current medications, including any herbal medications or natural supplements.
4). Be open and explain your symptoms completely. Take notes and
make sure you fully understand your doctor’s instructions.
5). Get a physical. For those 39 and younger, have a physical every five years; for those 40-49, every three
years; and those over 50, once a year.
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