If you are looking for a new family doctor, you may want to ask a few questions to help you decide if that particular doctor is the right choice for your family. It can be hard to narrow in on the right questions, so considering asking the following:

1. Do You Treat People of All Ages?

When looking for a family doctor, it's critical to ensure that doctor can truly treat your whole family. To ascertain that, ask the doctor if he or she treats people of all ages. If you have children or geriatric family members, you may want to ask pointed questions to ensure the primary doctor can meet their needs in particular.

2. What Do You Think of Vaccines?

The vaccine debate is as heated in Australia as it is almost anywhere else in the world. Regardless of what side of the debate you are on, you may want to ask this question. If you are opposed to vaccines, it makes it easier to work with a primary doctor who does not insist on vaccines and who can see merits on both sides of the debate.

On the other side of the coin, if you are pro-vaccines, you may want to see a doctor who is not ambivalent about the issue. If the doctor sees other people who are not vaccinated, you may bump into them and their infections in their waiting room.

3. Do You Have Experience With This Particular Issue?

If you have a history of heart disease, cancer or other serious medical issues in your family, you may want a primary doctor who is experienced with those issues in particular. They may be better able to help you detect those issues and treat them if they pop up. Similarly, if any of your family suffers from a chronic illness, you may also want a primary doctor who has experience with that illness.

4. What Is Your Approach to Healthcare?

You may also want to ask any prospective doctors about their general philosophy about health care. Do they want to be your partner in wellness? If so, that may include providing advice on diet and lifestyle. In other cases, you may just want a primary doctor who provides checkups and screenings for cancer or other issues.

5. Do You Make House Calls?

Finally, you may want to ask logistical questions. In particular, you may want to ask about house calls or clinic hours. You may also want to ask questions about billing. For example, you may prefer to see a doctor who does bulk billing.

Contact a bulk billing medical centre for more information and assistance. 

 

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