Choosing a Provider

Why have a personal physician or primary care provider?

One of the most important decisions that you will make is who will be your primary care provider. This person will be responsible for approximately 90% of your care, while seeking appropriate consultations with specialists if or when the medical problem is beyond the realm of his or her expertise.

We speak a great deal these days about preventive maintenance whether in discussing our cars, homes, or our health. Seeing a doctor who knows you and your medical history is your best preventive maintenance plan because that physician is well-equipped to spot your potential health problems before they become dangerous.

Who provides primary health care?

Although your health plan may limit your choice of Primary Care Provider (PCP), you are usually allowed to choose from one of the following four specialties:

1. Family Practice Physician: Trained to deal with the overall health care of individuals and their families; may have extensive experience in managing a particular condition, such as diabetes.
2. Internist: Treats adult illnesses and provides general health care. May specialize in treating heart, lung, blood, or other disorders.
3. Gynecologist: Specializes in treating women's health problems.
4. Pediatrician: Treats infants, children, and teenagers.

What kind of physician is right for you?

Your primary care physician's role is to oversee your healthcare, including recommending preventive care, referring you to specialists, requesting diagnostic tests and treatments, and making sure that your questions and concerns are addressed.

It's important to select a physician you trust and in whom you have confidence.

Ideally, the time to establish a relationship with your PCP is when you are well, not when you are sick or injured and need medical help in a hurry.

Following the steps outlined below will help ensure that the provider you select is one who meets your requirements.

Assess Your Needs

• What is your health and health care status? Do you have a chronic illness, such as diabetes or hypertension? If so, you'll want to find a PCP with extensive experience treating patients with your condition.
• Does your family history suggest the need for a particular type of physician?
• Is it important that your physician emphasize lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise?
• Would you prefer a physician of the same gender, age, race, or religion?
• Will this physician also take care of your family members?
• If English is not your native language, check to see if your doctor is bilingual or if translators are used in clinic appointments.

Assess Potential Providers

Qualifications

Physicians are required to attend medical school for four years to obtain their doctorate of medicine. Following this, nearly all physicians will attend special hospital-based training known as a residency program (usually 3-5 years, depending on medical specialty). Those physicians who choose to sub-specialize will attend a 2-3 year fellowship after completion of a residency program.

A board-certified physician has completed a residency program in a specialty or subspecialty and has passed examinations to test his or her knowledge of that specialty. Board certification is not required to practice medicine; however, voluntarily attaining board certification and continuing to hold those credentials by completing recertification every 10 years demonstrates a commitment to the highest level of patient care.

Board-eligible physicians have completed their residency but have not yet taken the examinations.

Finally, a fellowship is a recognition received from peers, usually for research or other intellectual endeavors. A fellowship is often indicated on a physician's business card, for example: MD, FACS for Medical Doctor, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

Bedside Manner

Probably second only to training, this is what differentiates an average physician from a superior one. As a patient, this is one quality that you should be able to recognize almost immediately. Does your doctor listen to your questions or is he or she constantly interrupting you? Is the physician sympathetic? Can the physician communicate clearly without using confusing terminology? Keep in mind that you will have to trust this physician with your life, so a strong patient-physician relationship is essential.

Your primary care physician will need the best possible training to contend with the complexities of medicine as outlined above, but you must also feel a certain compatible chemistry between you and your doctor.

No matter whom you choose there are some things you can do to help ensure the relationship between you and your physician is a good one:

• Be Honest. Your physician can't give you the proper care without accurate information. Your health is personal, so it's important to find someone with whom you can be open and honest.
• Ask Questions. Medical treatment can often be complicated, but you still have the right to know about your health situation and to have your questions answered until you fully understand what is involved. Asking questions also shows your doctor that you are interested and listening.

At Hennepin Faculty Associates we have hundreds of excellent primary care and specialty physicians available to care for you and your family.