11/30/2020
Choosing the Right Primary Care Doctor for You - Dr Lachlan Soper
Choosing the Right Primary Care Doctor for You Believe it or not, your primary care doctor, or general practitioner (GP), should be one of the most important relationships when it comes to your health and well-being. It’s imperative to take the time to do your research and nd the right doctor for you. They should not be chosen on a whim because they can have a major impact on your health and wellness. Take the time to nd someone who is quali ed and, more importantly, someone you can trust. Here are some helpful tips for choosing the right primary care doctor for you: Ask Friends and Family While nowadays everything can be found on the internet, it’s also a good idea to ask around when looking for a primary care doctor. More often than not, your friends and family will have a doctor that they trust and like well enough to make a recommendation. However, it is also very important to keep in mind that although a doctor was perfect for your best friend or your parents, it doesn’t mean that he or she will be right for you. With that in mind, asking friends and family can help you get the search started. Think of Your GP like the hub of a wheel In a bicycle wheel everything communicates back to the hub. Your GP is the hub. They need to know as much as possible to either deal with the problem you present with themselves, or to know the right people to send you to. If it is a musculoskeletal problem, their job may be to nd you the most appropriate physiotherapist. They then refer you to that physio, and the physio then communicates back with your GP. Similarly if you are, for example, short of breath, it could be many things, but two systems that are common are the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. The GP’s job, if it is a complicated issue, is to nd the most appropriate specialist in that area, who will then treat you and communicate with your GP. Your GP should always be at the centre of the loop, so that they can know as much as possible about your medical needs, and therefore facilitate the best treatment possible. They are both your treating physician, and your advocate within the health eld. Keep Location in Mind Your GP is typically for everyday health needs, which is why it is essential that they are located somewhere convenient for you. By sticking with a doctor who is close by, you won’t need to travel far and wide when you’re not feeling good. What’s more, if your doctor’s of ce is conveniently located, it’ll be much easier to keep your appointments and be more capable of coming in last minute if there is an emergency. Give the Doctor a Visit
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11/30/2020
Choosing the Right Primary Care Doctor for You - Dr Lachlan Soper
Once you feel you’ve found the right doctor for you, schedule a visit. A face-to-face meeting will help you make certain that you’ve made the right choice. In the visit, make sure you feel comfortable in the of ce, with the doctor, and even the nurses. If you feel you’ve found a GP you trust, then they’re the right person to rely on and help manage your healthcare. Use the visit as an opportunity to discuss your past medical history, any current medications you take, or any chronic conditions you’re managing.
DISCLAIMER All content provided on the www.lachlansoper.com.au website is general in nature and for informational purposes only. It does not take into consideration an individual’s circumstances and it is not advice and should not be used as a substitute for advice from an appropriately quali ed professional. Opinions are my own. Links to external websites do not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. No responsibility is accepted for any liability, loss or risk which is incurred as a consequence of the use of any of the material or links on this website, nor for any errors or omissions in the information. All content on this website © Lachlan Soper (unless otherwise speci ed). This entry was posted in Interesting Reading on December 1, 2020 [https://lachlansoper.com.au/choosing-the-
right-primary-care-doctor-for-you/] .
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