Primary Care Doctor in Naperville, IL

Check the type of doctor — There are easy ways to tell the difference between a DO and an MD. Still, you might not know the difference between a family and internal medicine provider. The differences in training promotes unique skill sets between the two specialties that patients can consider when choosing a primary care doctor. Family medicine practitioners care for patients of all ages from birth to death, which can include prenatal, obstetric, gynecologic, pediatric, adult, and geriatric care. Internal medicine providers typically offer care for adults starting at the age of 18, and may refer to an OBGYN provider for women’s healthcare needs. Family practitioners may focus on disease prevention, while internal medicine doctors often have a sub-specialty. So, if you have a particular health problem, seek out an internist familiar with your concern. And keep in mind that you may call your primary care physician a GP (general practitioner), but that’s not an actual specialty. Nor does it come with required board certification.

The receptionist can be the gatekeeper — One trick for finding a good doctor? Make nice with the support team. You never want to underestimate the importance of the office staff, because oftentimes they will be the ones to arrange any follow-up appointments, visits, or care that is needed. If the receptionist is always unfriendly, you may want to switch practices—but first, tell your doctor about the problem. There could be many reasons why a practice may seem disorganized or unhelpful. For example, the workers may be in the process of training, the practice may be understaffed, the practice may be transitioning leadership, or the staff could just be having a bad day. So they can actively work on remedying the issues, patients can talk to their doctor about any concerns with how the office is functioning.

You should be comfortable opening up — There are tricks to help you really communicate with your doctor. You can’t do them, however, if you don’t feel comfortable divulging private, possibly embarrassing, info. Medicine is based on trust and communication. If you’re uncomfortable, it may be hard for you to convey a symptom to your doctor. If you’re dealing with a specialist who might be the only person who can perform what you need done, you might be willing to accept a lack of bedside manner. However, when choosing your primary care doctor, make sure you feel at ease with them.

You can see a primary care doctor for pretty much any common condition. If you require specialized care, they will refer you to a specialist. Primary care providers can also perform routine checkups and write prescriptions.

It is important for everyone to have a primary care doctor, as they will be your first line of contact for all of your healthcare concerns. A huge benefit of this is building up a history with them, so they can easily diagnose your health, treat your condition and provide preventative measures to keep you healthy.

If you or someone you know is looking for a primary care doctor, come to Suburban Healthcare today! Our excellent team of professionals will make you feel at ease and confident in their ability to provide you with the best quality care. To talk with an expert, contact our office today. Visit us online or give us a call to schedule an appointment at our clinic. We serve patients from Naperville IL, Plainfield IL, Joliet IL, Woodridge IL, Wolfs IL, Warrenville IL, Crystal Lawns IL, Romeoville IL, Lockport IL, Crest Hill IL, Shorewood IL, Gilletts IL, and Fairmont IL.