Finding the Right Family Doctor

Finding the Right Family Doctor

Finding the right General Practitioner (GP) to support your family’s health is a very important decision.

The right GP can provide the support and advice you need to manage the health of all members of your family.

As well as providing preventative health screening, advice with diet, exercise and mental health, they can also guide you through the standard health checks and immunisations throughout your child’s early years.

Choosing the Type of Practice

Firstly, there are things to weigh up in the type of practice you choose. Do you want a GP who works in a small or solo practice? Or would a larger practice suit your needs better?

Things to consider here include:

  • Do you always want to see the same doctor? Is that possible at the practice you’re considering?
  • Do you want the more personalised experience of a small practice?
  • Do you want an on-site or adjacent pharmacy to make filling prescriptions easy?
  • Is it important to you that the practice has on-site pathology services?

Choosing Your Family Doctor

Once you know which type of practice will suit you best, you can consider which specific GP and practice is right for you:

  • The most important thing is that you feel comfortable with the GP and trust in them
  • Find a doctor who listens to what you say. A good GP understands that you are a wealth of knowledge when it comes to your family and will ask you the right questions to understand what’s needed
  • Is the practice location easy for you and your family to get to, either by public transport or to park nearby if you’re driving?
  • Does the practice offer bulk billing? Are the fees affordable for your family?
  • Does the waiting room provide a clean space with books, toys or activities for your child(ren)?
  • Does the GP have the right type of experience for your family – such as working with children or women’s health?

How to Conduct Your Search

With an important decision like finding the right family doctor, it can be difficult to know how to begin. Here are some tips on where to start:

  • Ask family and friends: Get specific in your questions related to the type of care you need. Your grandmother might rave about her GP but if their specialty is aged care and they have little experience with children, it’s not a great fit
  • Ask other health professionals: If you have a midwife or family health nurse you like and trust, ask them for recommendations
  • Ask other parents: Ask other parents at childcare or school, or perhaps you’re part of a mothers group and could ask them
  • Use trusted online sources: If you’re looking for health professionals online use a trusted source such as Health Direct (www.healthdirect.gov.au)

We hope this article will serve as a helpful guide for finding the right doctor for your family.

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