Here are some things that you should consider when choosing a primary care physician:

– If you have insurance, find out which doctors are “in-network”. This can be very cost-effective.
– Find a doctor that meets your health needs. You may need a doctor who has certain specialized expertise.
– Ask for referrals. The people you know can offer grid advice.
– Think about how easy it is to get to the doctor’s office. If it is difficult to get there, you may be less inclined to go when you need to.
– Set up an introductory visit so that you can meet the doctor and the staff. This will give you the opportunity to see how they do things and if you can relate to them easily.

Finding the right family physician is important. They will be the doctor that you see the most often for all kinds of health issues and concerns. To help you decide if a doctor is right for you, you will want to know some things about them. You will want to know about their practice and staff to make sure that they are a good fit. Remember, you are hiring a doctor that you want to work with, especially when things get difficult, and having the right doctor will make that much easier.

Here are some questions you can ask when looking for a new family doctor.

– What is their approach to the patient-physician relationship?
– What happens when an emergency arises?
– For non-emergency questions, can I call or email? How long will it take to get a response?
– What is the average rating time to get an appointment with this office?
– If you aren’t available, who will I see?
– In what way do you keep medical records, electronic or paper?
– Do you have resources online that provide additional information?

This is not a complete list of questions. If you have specific needs, then you will want to ask how those will be addressed. Write down a list of questions that are important to you to make sure that you find the right doctor.

Your first visit with the new primary care physician will include a great deal of information gathering by the doctor. The doctor will want to see your medical records to understand your personal medical history. They will want to know about any medications you are currently taking. They will also want to know about your family health history, are there any genetic health issues, such as diabetes, heart disease, or cancer that run in the family? They will want to know about your lifestyle, do you smoke, how much you drink, and other factors. Having this information will help the doctor make better diagnoses when needed.
 
The doctor will try to gain a thorough understanding of who you are and what needs you have.

At Bridgewater Primary care, we focus on primary care, women’s health, cardiac care, allergies, and much more. We will work with you on preventive care and also help when those urgent needs arise. We are accepting new patients and look forward to meeting you. Please call to set up an appointment. Contact us or book an online appointment to find out how we can serve you. We are located at 711 W Center St West Bridgewater, MA 02379. We serve patients from West Bridgewater MA, Bridgewater MA, Taunton MA, Middleborough MA, Plymouth MA, Pembroke MA, Braintree MA, Mansfield MA, Stoughton MA, Brockton MA, Wareham MA, Somerset MA, Attleboro MA, Abington MA, and surrounding areas.