An Ounce of Prevention is
Worth a Pound of Cure
It may be a cliché - but it's also true. Taking positive steps toward keeping healthy really does help. Being concerned about eating right, exercising, wearing seatbelts, and quitting smoking are all important. But don't neglect your greatest asset in keeping healthy: your personal physician.

Your primary care physician serves as a central source on all aspects of your health. In addition to treating existing medical conditions, this physician monitors your health over time. He or she helps identify changes that could signal the onset of a disease. And, because primary care physicians look at the broad picture, including your lifestyle and family history, they can help plan the best ways of staying healthy and leading a long, productive life.

Primary Care Physicians
There are several types of physicians who provide primary care. They all offer the benefits of a lasting, personal relationship based upon thorough knowledge of an individual patient. All have completed extensive training (in addition to medical school) and provide a wide range of healthcare services.

Family Medicine physicians provide comprehensive care for all family members, from newborns through older adults.

Internal Medicine physicians specialize in meeting the complete healthcare needs of adults, from teenagers through seniors, providing both primary and advanced levels of care.

Obstetrician/gynecologists often serve as primary physicians for women, performing routine physicals and health screenings in addition to obstetrical and gynecological care.

Pediatricians are experts in primary care for children, usually from infancy through the teen years.

Primary care doctors may be either M.D.'s (medical doctors) or D.O.'s (osteopathic doctors). Both M.D.'s and D.O.'s have completed medical school and post-graduate residency programs. If at any time during your life you require specialized care for a medical condition - such as a cardiologist for a heart ailment - your primary care physician will manage your overall health in conjunction with this specialist. He or she will also provide follow-up care after specialized treatment concludes.

Finding the Right Physician
How do you find a personal doctor? It takes a little homework and determination. Many people find a physician through word of mouth - they ask their friends, neighbors or relatives. But your healthcare needs and personal preferences may differ from theirs.

The only way to determine if a physician is right for you or your family is to do some research. Only you know the health history, lifestyle and insurance coverage of you and your family. Only you can determine what is essential to you about your own medical care provider.

Identifying Potential Choices
You need to begin somewhere. Hospital physician referral services such as Abington Memorial Hospital's can help supply information you need to make a knowledgeable choice. We have extensive data about many doctors in your area.

This background covers their educational and practice history, age range, office locations and hours, and the types of insurance coverage they accept.

Questions to Ask a Physician to
Help You Make an Informed Choice
When you have a doctor's name and number, make an appointment to ask questions about issues that are important to you. Typical questions may include the following.

• Is the doctor on staff at a hospital? Which hospital?
• What is the doctor's educational background?
• Does the doctor specialize in certain areas of medicine?
• Is the doctor board-certified?
• How many years has his or her practice been established?
• Is the doctor in practice by himself or herself, or in a group practice?
• Is his or her office conveniently located?
• What hours are available for appointments?
• What types of insurance coverage does the doctor accept?
• If you're on Medicare or Medicaid, does the doctor accept Medicare or Medicaid patients?
• What is the doctor's personality?
• What is the doctor's age range? Does he or she specialize in patients of certain ages?
• Is there public transportation to the doctor's office, or is convenient parking available?
• How far in advance do you have to make an appointment? How does the doctor handle situations when you need to see a doctor urgently?
• How does the doctor communicate delays when called to an emergency situation?
• How would the doctor feel about your obtaining a second opinion by another doctor on a recommended diagnosis or treatment?
• What is the doctor's fee schedule? When is payment expected and how may it be made?

Prepare your own questions in advance, and bring a pencil and paper if you wish to write down the responses you receive.

Your First Appointment
When you meet the doctor, you can determine if you feel comfortable communicating with him or her. Observe if the doctor does a comprehensive examination; does he or she listen to you and explain what is being done and why? Does the doctor take time to answer your questions? Did the two of you establish an easy rapport?

When seeing a patient for the first time in a non-emergency situation, most doctors will begin a medical chart, compiling information about your health history. This record should include not only your present state of health and personal statistics (age, height, weight, occupation, whether you're a smoker or non-smoker) but also a family history - to help determine any possible hereditary health conditions that could develop.

We Can Help
Whether you're looking for a personal physician, or need a specialist, Abington Memorial Hospital's Physician Referral Service can help.

Our referral service has detailed information about more than 500 physicians, dentists, and podiatrists in this area. Appointments can even be made for you.

For more information, call our referral service at (215) 481-MEDI.