Your primary care physician is the first person you see when you are ill, have medical questions, or just need a checkup. Hopefully, you have a good relationship with them, because it's really important for you to be able to trust your physician. That's why it can be so upsetting when your PCP leaves their practice and you have to find a new doctor. Finding a new doctor isn't always easy, because there are a lot of things that you have to check, including whether or not the doctor takes your insurance. Creating a list of questions that you ask all the potential doctors you are interested in can help you find a new doctor. 

Chronic Illness Treatment

If you have a chronic illness or deal with chronic pain, you need to find out if the doctor handles chronic situations and what their treatments may look like, as well as their experience with your particular chronic illness. If your chronic illness is one that requires you to see a number of medical professionals to treat the different aspects, you should check with your potential PCP and find out how they feel about being part of your larger team. 

After-Hours Emergencies

Most people don't think to ask about what they should do in the case of after-hours emergencies. However, it is something that you do need to know because you aren't only going to be sick or injured during normal business hours. You should ask the doctor what their practice's plans are for patients who need help after the practice is closed. Is there a doctor who will be able to get back to you if you were to call an after-hours helpline? Is that doctor going to be part of the practice with access to your medical history, or is the doctor answering your call going to be part of a larger service? Or should you just go to an urgent care facility or an emergency room before trying to get ahold of your PCP? These are all things you need to know so that you can decide whether or not their after-hours policy works for you. 

When you have to get a new primary care physician, you want to make sure that you are getting one that will meet all your needs. You will be trusting the doctor with a lot of private information and be in vulnerable situations with them, so you want to know that you are going to have the medical care you deserve. Asking the doctor some questions before you join their practice can help you make your decision. 

For more information about choosing a doctor, contact a local practice.