If you don’t already have a primary care provider, finding one can be one of the more significant health and well-being decisions that you can make.
Primary care providers are trained in all areas of medicine, meaning that they can provide care throughout all stages of life regardless of age or gender. They also can help you make the best decisions for your health based on your personal history — a result of the long-term, caring and trusting relationship they can build with you and your family. Primary care providers also provide for whole-person health addressing the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of how you feel.
The primary care physicians and nurse practitioners in the Adena Health family are experts in preventive care and can provide and help you navigate through such things as:
Basic screenings, tests, and vaccines
Bone and joint care
Care for chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, and heart disease
Ear, nose, and throat care
Emergency medical care
Eye care
Mental and behavioral health care
Minor surgical procedures
Referrals to specialists if you need help with a specific issue
Well-woman care and family planning
Launching your search
The search for a primary care provider doesn’t have to be difficult. Talking to people you know and trust about who they see, checking with your health insurance company to search for physicians and advanced practice providers on your plan and in your area, and researching your top picks through trusted sources online and by calling their office can all lead to the best choice for your needs.
So what exactly are you looking for?
For the best possible care, look for someone who treats you with respect, explains things in ways you can understand, listens to your opinion and concerns, and encourages questions. Once you’ve found your top option, find out if the provider is accepting new patients and has evening or weekend appointments available, the average time to get an appointment, their appointment cancellation policy, and who in the practice will see you if your provider is not available.
Advantages to having a primary care provider
There are plenty of advantages to having a primary care provider, such as improved appointment access. As an established patient with a primary care provider, you may even be able to schedule same-day care with your doctor should a need arise.
There’s also a comfort factor that comes with building a relationship with a provider over time, making it easier to talk about more sensitive subjects involving your health.
Having a regular primary care provider brings a cost savings as well, reducing the need to visit an urgent care or the emergency room whenever you experience an issue.
Making the decision
Ultimately, the choice of who to trust with your health care comes down to the best fit for you. If you don’t feel totally comfortable with your initial choice, you are not locked into that provider. You have the opportunity to continue looking for someone you are going to mesh with and who will act as an advocate for your health.
If you need a primary care provider or are looking for a new one, Adena Health can help. Call 740-779-FIND (3463) or visit Adena.org and click on Find a Provider at the top of the website.