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 A
family medicine doctor is one who specializes in the care of the
entire family, from newborns to grandparents.
This type of doctor has had extra schooling, also known as a
residency, after medical school to prepare him/her to care for
patients of different ages and needs.
If you have ever wished you
could have one doctor, a family medicine physician is your best
choice.
Whether it's shots for the
baby, seeing your husband for a sprained ankle, taking care of your
annual physical exam, or treating grandma's high blood pressure, a
family practice doctor is able to meet the unique health needs of the
whole family.
A family medicine doctor is
also able to bond with the family as a whole and to involve any
specialty care needed.
Family medicine physicians
are the gatekeepers for your medical care, taking care of all members
of your family on an ongoing basis. St. John's family medicine
physicians are able to place special emphasis on coordinating your
care.
Choosing a family medicine physician
Practicing
preventive care is fundamental to good health - and so is choosing the
right physician. If you don't have a physician whom you visit
regularly, don't wait until a serious health problem prompts you to
select one.
You're
ultimately responsible for the choice of your health care provider,
whether you participate in a managed care health plan that provides
you with a list of participating physicians, or you have traditional
insurance and can choose any doctor. Be selective. After all, your
health is very important.
Ask friends, relatives and
coworkers for personal recommendations. Ask what doctors they see and
whether they are satisfied with the quality of care they
receive. Another consideration is the location of the doctor's office.
Ideally, you'll want it to be convenient to where you live or work.
Find out, too, about
office hours. Are evening or weekend appointments available?
Once you've narrowed your
list to two or three physicians, call their offices to ask some
preliminary questions such as:.
- What type of practice does the
doctor offer?
- Does the doctor have any practice
limitations?
- Is the doctor accepting new
patients?
- Does the doctor belong to your HMO
or other managed care plan?
- Does the doctor accept your
insurance plan or Medicare?
For a referral to a St. John's
family medicine physician, please call 888-8888 or 1-800-909-TEAM.
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