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When you shop for a car, do you buy the first car you see
in the first ad you look at? Probably not. You first
determine what you need and then you investigate the options
available to you.
Do you spend that much time and thought choosing a family
doctor? You should. The relationship you establish with your
health care provider may last the rest of your life and be
the cornerstone of your health and well-being.
Your needs should determine the kind of health care
provider you select. Here are several things to consider
when making this important decision:
- Is the doctor trained in the areas important to you
and your family? If you are looking for a general family
physician, a specialist might not be the best
choice.
- Is the doctor board certified? Board certification
means the doctor has successfully completed approved
educational and training programs and evaluation
processes in his or her specialty.
- Is the doctor you select available to you through
your health plan? If you are changing health coverage, be
sure your selected doctor is on the insurance's preferred
provider list. If not listed, ask how this doctor can be
added to the provider list.
- Does the facility where you go for health care offer
a full range of services, from primary care to
world-class specialty care? Be sure this facility is in
your insurance's preferred provider list. If not, ask how
this facility can be added to the provider list.
For a list of UI obstetrical and gynecological and Family
Care physicians accepting patients, call UI
Health Access, 384-8442 or 800-777-8442.
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When you're looking for a health care provider, do you
know what type of provider you need?
Family Medicine--plans and provides
comprehensive primary health care for all members of a
family, regardless of age or gender, on a continuing
basis.
Pediatrics--treats children through age 18.
Obstetrics/Gynecology--specializes in women's
health issues. Obstetrics deals with the management of
pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Gynecology deals with
diagnosis and medical treatment of diseases of the female
genital tract.
Nurse/Midwife--provides independent management
of labor and delivery as well as care of new mothers and
normal newborn infants. A nurse/midwife is trained in
both nursing and midwifery and is certified to perform
these duties.
General Internal Medicine--focuses on the
diagnosis and medical treatment of patients over the age
of 18. A doctor practicing internal medicine is called an
internist. This is not the same as an intern, a graduate
of medical school preparing to be licensed.
Physician Assistant (PA)--performs certain
physician duties including taking medical histories;
giving physical examinations, diagnostic tests,
treatments; and performing certain surgical procedures. A
PA has received advanced medical training in an
accredited program and is certified to perform these
duties.
Advance Registered Nurse Practitioner
(ARNP)--practices advanced nursing in one of four
specialized areas, including certified registered nurse
anesthetists, certified nurse midwives, certified nurse
practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists.
UI Health Care offers access to each of these providers.
For more information call 384-8442 or 800-777-8442.
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