Research has shown that patients who have a good relationship with their doctors tend to be more satisfied with their care and tend to have better results. Choosing a good primary care physician is a crucial part of your overall healthcare plan and you should be able rely on your primary care physician to coordinate all of your healthcare options. While searching for a PCP here is a list of items you may want to check before you make your 1st appointment.
- Is the lobby clean?
- Is the lobby welcoming?
- Is the physician’s staff friendly?
- Is the physician’s staff helpful?
- How long, on average, do patients need to wait (from the time of their appointment) to be seen?
- Is there any written material (e.g. brochures, postcards, newsletters) available for patients in the lobby?
- Are there any educational programs (e.g. videos) playing in the lobby?
Ruthann Russo, PhD, JD, MPH, RHIT, is a healthcare expert with more than 20 years of experience working in and advising healthcare organizations.
