If your car started making a weird sound or your dishwasher stopped working, you probably know who you’d call for service. But do you have the same trusted partner for your own health? If you don’t have a primary care provider, it’s time to find one.
“Patients should have a medical home base, a place where they’re well-known, in good health and in illness,” says UNC Health internal medicine and pediatrics doctor Anita Skariah, DO. “You need a provider who knows your values and what matters to you, who can guide you through all of the aspects of your health in an understandable manner.”
A primary care provider can refer you to specialists or provide insight when you’re ill or injured, but they also help you avoid getting sick by ensuring you get the right preventive screenings and care. It’s an ongoing partnership, one that benefits from trust and confidence.
Here’s how to find a provider who is the right fit for you.
1. Consider your needs and do some research.
It can be helpful to start your search with your health insurance provider—they maintain a directory of providers who are in their network, meaning that your out-of-pocket costs will be lower than they would be with providers who don’t take that insurance. For primary care, look for family medicine, internal medicine, or general practice providers. If you’re older than 65, you may want to consider a geriatrician; if you have children, you may want a provider who can also see pediatric patients.
Ask your friends and family for their recommendations as well—if you have multiple options, knowing that someone you trust had a good experience with a provider can increase your confidence in them.
Once you have the names of potential providers, check out any information available online, such as a practice website or a directory listing on their clinic or hospital’s website.
“Practice websites usually provide bios or blurbs about the provider, and you can read the story behind that provider,” Dr. Skariah says. “You can learn a little about their experiences and interests and see where they trained. You may see some commonalities that spark your interest.”
There may also be reviews, which can give you a feel for how other people like this provider, though Dr. Skariah cautions against focusing too much on rants about issues that might be outside the provider’s control.
As you consider your provider options, consider what logistics or qualifications matter to you. It may be important to you to have a provider close to your home or workplace, one with ample parking or public transportation options, or one who offers extended hours or virtual visits. If you live in a town with several hospitals, check which one the provider is associated with.
You may wish to have a provider of the same gender or to ensure that they can accommodate your preferred language. Maybe you have a known health issue, such as a family history of heart disease, that you want your primary care provider to be comfortable managing. You may want to find a provider who can handle your gynecologic care as well.
2. Call the office and prepare for your first appointment.
While online research can give you a lot of information about a provider, it’s helpful to pick up the phone and ask your questions directly. The office staff can verify that your insurance is accepted, explain whether the provider is accepting new patients, and confirm the provider’s upcoming availability at your preferred location (some providers may practice in multiple offices). They can also ensure that the provider you’re considering will be a good fit for any specific health concerns or whether someone else in the practice might be a better fit.
Once you make your first appointment, you can prepare by gathering your family medical history, requesting any past medical records and making a list of the medications you’re taking. You should also make a list of questions or concerns you want the provider to address or know about, but be aware that you may not be able to cover them all in one visit.
“That first visit is an opportunity to meet the provider and see if their values align with yours and observe how they deliver care,” Dr. Skariah says. “If you have a lot of concerns about your health, prioritize what’s important to you. It may take a couple of visits to address all of your concerns. Come with an open mind, because the health information you have seen online may differ from what the provider shares with you.”
3. Pay attention to how you feel at the first appointment.
Your first visit will give you a chance to see if you think you could build a partnership with the provider.
“You can usually quickly sense whether you’ll connect well with someone,” Dr. Skariah says. “Pay attention to the provider’s communication style. Does it feel like they are listening to you? Do they communicate clearly? Do you feel they present information in a way that makes you willing to listen?”
Dr. Skariah says your provider will try to earn your trust by learning more about you and providing you with the best possible information about your health, which will involve you being open about your background and habits.
“I try to provide as much scientific background as I can for the reasons I’m recommending something so that the patient can make an informed decision,” she says. “Being honest with your provider is important, because we can’t optimally help you if we don’t know what’s going on. We’re not here to judge.”
While you don’t need to tell your provider everything on the first visit, hopefully you can envision being able to share with them openly. If it doesn’t feel like a good match from the start, then you should try another provider, but if you’re on the fence, it can be worthwhile to see the same provider again.
“If you are uncomfortable communicating with the provider, it’s not going to be a healthy relationship. But it may take a few visits to build trust and understand each other’s communication style,” Dr. Skariah says. “Don’t neglect your health because you’re always in search for the perfect fit. Your provider might be insightful on conditions pertaining to your health of which you may be unaware.”
Your primary care provider can help you with a variety of concerns and questions. Need a primary care provider? Find one near you.