Best Primary Care Physicians Near Me in Danvers, MA | WebMD (2024)

FAQs

What kind of doctor is best for primary care? ›

You should consider a family physician or internal medicine specialist (internist) to serve as your PCP to provide overall management of your health care. You also may want to choose an obstetrician/gynecologist if you are a woman, or a pediatrician for your children.

Shortage of Primary Care Physicians

This shortage is attributed to various factors including an aging population (both patients and doctors are getting old), a growing emphasis on specialized medicine which draws physicians away from primary care, and fewer medical graduates choosing primary care as a field.

The Medical Board of California encourages consumers to check up on their doctor's license. Such a checkup is simple and helps a consumer make an informed choice when choosing a doctor.

Give information about all your medications

Make a list or bring everything with you to your visit—don't forget about eye drops, vitamins, and laxatives. Tell the doctor how often you take each. Describe any drug allergies or reactions you have had. Say which medications work best for you.

It's necessary to visit a primary care doctor for persistent illnesses or for close monitoring of a pre-existing condition. While a nurse practitioner can handle these issues, your primary care doctor may be more adept at analyzing your entire medical history to troubleshoot issues and create a treatment plan.

Physician Burnout and Its Consequences

The factors contributing to burnout include ongoing physician shortages, system inefficiencies, administrative burdens, and increased regulatory and technology requirements (AMA, 2023).

There is a primary care physician shortage in the United States. This is one of the root causes of the problems. There aren't enough primary care doctors in the United States. One study reported that the percentage of physicians in primary care in the U.S. decreased to about 25%.

No matter how young or old you are, how healthy you are, or how many different specialists you now see, you will benefit from have a Primary Care Provider on your side helping you manage all of your health care needs. If you don't currently have a PCP, consider getting one now.

How do you tell a good doctor from a bad doctor? ›

If you detect that a doctor is indifferent or uncaring, it is best to steer clear. Warning signs of a bad attitude include being consistently cold, rude, or dismissive of your concerns. Good doctors are warm, interested, and engaged and will take the time to make you feel comfortable.

Start by asking friends and family for recommendations, and then check online directories and reviews. Ensure you verify whether the doctor is in-network with your insurance and consider factors like location, office hours, and languages spoken.

Then you go to an “exam room” where the doctor sees you–and the first thing the doctor does is to ask you what's wrong with you–why you are there. Doctors call this the patient's “history”, and it is the most important part of the process of figuring out what is causing your problems and what can be done about it.

In general for both men and women, if you are in basically good health and under the age of 50, it is recommended you see your PCP every three years for a checkup. After age 50, see your doctor once a year. After, see your provider once a year.

A primary care provider (PCP) is a health care practitioner who sees people that have common medical problems. This person is most often a doctor. However, a PCP may be a physician assistant or a nurse practitioner.

While both focus on comprehensive care, family doctors tend to patients across all age demographics, from infants to the elderly, while PCPs specialize in adult medicine.

A primary care physician (PCP), or primary care provider, is a health care professional who practices general medicine. PCPs are our first stop for medical care.

DO stands for doctor of osteopathic medicine. They use the same conventional medical techniques as MDs but with a few other methods. DOs tend to focus more on holistic health and prevention. In holistic health, all parts of a person, including their mind, body, and emotions, are considered during the treatment.