For the vast majority of people, healthcare is a literal team effort. You might see your primary care doctor the most, but complete preventive care also involves specialists. Depending on your age, gender, and current state of health, your preventive care team might include anyone from a gynecologist to a cardiologist. But how can you go about building just the right team? Here are some tips.
Learn about different types of preventive care
The first step is to understand what types of preventive care are available. A great place to start is the free preventive health benefits guaranteed by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA or Obamacare). Some of these require specialists, such as:
- Colon cancer screening for ages 45-75
- Lung cancer screening for current or former smokers 50-80
- Pap smear for women 21-65
- Mammograms for women 50 and older (or younger under certain circumstances)
You might need to see other specialists as well. For example, it’s smart to regularly visit a dermatologist and an eye doctor, regardless of age. You might also need a hearing test, a trip to the podiatrist, a cardiology screening or other preventive-care visit.
Your primary care doctor will be your care coordinator, making referrals and ordering tests. But these specialists are also essential parts of your preventive care team.
Know your personal health needs
Everyone is unique, and your health journey is uniquely your own. Educate yourself on any chronic injuries or illnesses you have. Learn which kinds of doctors typically manage those conditions and make appointments as soon as possible. Also, be aware of anything in your personal or family health history that makes you more likely to develop a condition such as breast cancer or lung cancer. Consider proactively seeing a specialist for screening and to create a plan to reduce your risks. Public
Find the best health care team for you
All doctors are also unique. They have their own viewpoints and treatment approaches. Some have a gentle bedside manner, while others are brusquer and to the point. Some believe in conservative treatments; others prefer to aggressively treat any emerging issue. Like any two humans, you and a provider might not gel. Personality conflicts can occur, and that’s okay!
It’s essential to find the best doctors for you. Each should be someone whose manner and style meshes with your own. You should feel entirely comfortable with every provider’s point of view and treatment approach. You should be able to speak freely, express your opinions and have an honest dialogue. Sometimes you might disagree, but those discussions should remain respectful and caring. Don’t be afraid to shop around for the doctors who truly “get” you. You’re putting your trust in them, and you deserve to know that their goals for your healthcare align with your own.
Building your preventive care team takes work. You’ll need to learn about the different types of preventive care, educate yourself about your own healthcare needs and find the doctors who are the right fit for you. But the effort will pay off by ensuring you receive the best possible care.