Last Thursday (3rd August 2023), I wrote about why we should have General Physician (GP) and especially for seniors. In continuation of that, today I am writing about what to look for in GP, before you finalise him/her for yourself or for some other senior person.
The tradition of having a family doctor is still practiced in many parts of our country. A family doctor is almost always a Physician who can understand the problem at hand and treat it or suggest which specialist you need to consult. Over the years these family doctors will get to know you and your family members and learn the medical history of each family member. If you have access to a family doctor you are one of the lucky ones. However, in times of urbanization, when people migrate to different cities, they might have to look for a GP with whom they can build a relationship. Here are some suggestions, on how to go in for the selection of a GP suiting your needs:
1 Proximity
This point is not exactly an attribute of the doctor but about the need and logistics involved. The availability of your family doctor in an emergency is a must. Otherwise, you may find yourself in a spot if such a need arises. This aspect is essential for seniors and households with children. Hence, look for a qualified GP referred by a few people in your locality. It is even more beneficial if this GP can provide an emergency contact number or is willing to make house calls. If not, find a physician in a reputed hospital/clinic in your neighbourhood so you can rush if required. If you have health insurance, please verify this hospital is part of the network, so the claim can be lodged afterward. The whole idea of having a GP is to reduce stress related to health issues.
2 Approachability
Often we see some established GPs may not be approachable. You must have heard many times about some GP regarding waiting time/ difficulty in getting an appointment, and in the end, one becomes unsatisfied with the result, like GP was too busy or distracted, did not pay proper attention, or did not feel welcome enough to share issues frankly. Despite having great reputations, such doctors should not be your preferred GPs. You need someone who can listen to you patiently and explain what is happening to you in a way you understand, what treatment options are available, and so on. Also, language could be an issue, whether GP can communicate with you in your preferred language, which could be English/Hindi/your mother tongue. Remember approachability is key to building a long association.
3 Map to your needs
The ideal option is to find a doctor to treat common health issues and emergencies. Also, confirm if the GP has been treating seniors and common senior health issues such as diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis. Some GPs may not be comfortable treating seniors for other than common issues. Also, it is good to find someone with an established basic setup with at least an X-Ray, ECG, blood check-up facility, etc., or it should be available close to GPs clinic, so you do not have to visit different places for these tests. Alternatively, GP should be able to guide you to trusted diagnostic centres for such tests, rather than you having to search or go to different places.
4 Verify the credentials
You might have heard about many scams happening in India, including fake certificates and doctors. If picking a new GP in a new city, please verify credentials, even if referred by a few people. Every practicing doctor in India is registered under Indian Medical Council(IMC) with a registration number. You can check for the credentials on the IMC’s website with their basic details. Many hospitals and healthcare apps voluntarily provide information about doctors, which you can easily verify.
5 Check for online reviews
If you are finding a GP in a new neighbourhood with a few referrals, please check their reviews. Online reviews on various platforms, websites, etc., can help you gauge the doctor on aspects such as approachability, competence, treatment success rate, and so on. The key is not to depend 100% on online reviews, as people manipulate either way. Make a fair judgment based on overall reviews, and then try out the doctor before you decide otherwise.
Waiting for your views on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
7th August 2023