One of the most important people you need in your life is a trusted general practitioner (GP), also called as primary care physician. In the past, people depended on family doctors to help them with just about every medical condition, from high fevers, to birth, to broken bones. Family doctors had extensive knowledge of a family’s medical history because they had treated two or more generations of a family!
Forming a positive relationship with your GP is essential in ensuring that your medical needs are being listened to and met, and that you’re both on the same page.
How do I find a GP?
If you’re not satisfied with your current General Practitioner or are trying to find one, here are some ways you can find a new GP:
- Referrals from friends, family, and coworkers. The easiest way to start is to ask the people around you for referrals. If they had a positive experience with a GP, chances are, you will too.
Referrals from your current GP. Moving to a new area? Your current GP could give you a good recommendation. - Call the Australian General Practice Network (AGPN) or other professional networks. AGPN can give you a list of doctors in your neighbourhood and provide you with information about the doctors, such as their hours, educational background, and expertise. You may call also call the Australian Medical Association, and Royal Association of General Practitioners for referrals.
- Look around your area. If you’re new to a place, it never hurts to walk around the area in search of clinics or medical centres. Just moved to Boronia? You can drop by Melbourne Eastern Healthcare. We’d be happy to discuss your requirements and match you with a suitable GP in Boronia.
Things to consider when choosing a GP
After getting referrals, narrow down your list and find out as much as you can about each GP. Here are some factors you need to consider:
Hours. A GP is often your first point of contact when medical emergencies happen. As such, your GP’s hours should fit your schedule, especially if you have a chronic or serious illness that needs to be monitored closely.
Melbourne Eastern Healthcare is open from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm, Mondays to Fridays. We are also open on Saturdays, from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm.
Location. Can you get there easily? Your ideal GP’s location should be accessible to you by public transportation or a short drive. You may also want to consider GPs near your workplace.
Friendly and courteous staff. If a GP runs a practice in a hospital or medical centre, you should see how well the staff looks after you. The friendly reception staff at our medical centre in Boronia are trained to make your experience efficient and stress-free.
Home visits. Does your potential GP do home visits? In certain situations, your GP might need to visit you at home.
Type of practice. If you prefer to get everything done in one place, a larger medical centre can provide you with a wide range of services located in one site. Our medical centre in Boronia has several departments that can cater to all your medical needs, including complementary services such as pathology, radiology, and pharmacy.
Qualifications and specialty. Looking for a doctor for a specific concern? Check their qualifications first. For example, a registered nutritionist can be useful if you need guidance with diabetes management.
Billing and costs. During the initial consultation, don’t be shy to ask when and how much you’ll be billed. Do you have to pay upfront? Is bulk-billing available? Asking these could save you money in the long run!
Making the decision
Once you have chosen a GP, go in for a consultation. This is the first step to truly getting to know your GP better. Ultimately, your GP should make you feel comfortable, and be one who listens to you attentively and has good judgment.
If you are in search of a GP in Boronia, Melbourne Eastern Healthcare is located at 157 Scoresby Road. Our doctors are experts in their fields and ready to give you quality care. To learn more about our services, doctors, and other programs, you can call us on (03) 9839 3333. Check also our Doctors Care Clinic page for more info.