Tips on Choosing a Physician 

Looking for a doctor for your child? Need help finding a specialist for your parent? WellSpan Health can help. Establishing a strong, healthy relationship with your family doctor is one of the most important things you can do to keep your family healthy. And by staying healthy, you can live a fuller life and keep your health costs in line.

Having a primary care physician is one of the foremost ways you can take charge of your own health care. In addition to taking care of you when you're sick, they can help keep you healthy in the first place. Primary care or family physicians are generally defined as family practitioners, internists, or pediatricians. If you have any special health issues like heart problems or allergies, it's also important that you develop a relationship with a specialist.

The best time to choose a doctor is before you need one. If you get sick or face an emergency, you may not have the time or the best information to help you decide where to get care. So, take a few minutes right now to start finding a doctor who is just right for your family.

We have a variety of information on the doctors in the area, so it will help if you think about what you expect from your physician and the practice. To determine what you're looking for, consider the following questions.

• Do you want a doctor close to where you live or work? 
• Would you like the practice you select to have evening and weekend hours? 
• Do you want an internist or a family practitioner as your primary care doctor?
• If the physician is for a child, do you want a family practitioner or a pediatrician? 
• Do you have a need for any specialists - for example, a pediatrician for your kids, an OB/GYN, or an allergist? 
• Do you want a doctor who is board certified*?
• Would you prefer a male or female physician?
• What kind of health insurance will you be using? 
• Do you have a preference about how many doctors are in the practice? 

* A doctor who is board certified has had three or more years of training after medical school in a specialty field and has passed a national written and oral examination. Some younger physicians might be "board eligible," which means they have completed the training but not the exams. Family doctors are certified by the American Board of Family Practice or the American Osteopathic Board of Family Practice. Internists are certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine or the American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine. Pediatricians are certified by the American Board of Pediatrics or the American Osteopathic Board of Pediatrics.

Now, you're ready to find a physician. You can do this in one of two ways:

1. Call us at (800) 840-5905. We'll help you select a Gettysburg Hospital or York Hospital doctor who meets your criteria and can even send you a free Medical Staff and Services Directory.
2. Use our web site to review information on our physicians.

Once you've selected a physician, the following tips will help you develop a strong and lasting relationship.

Talk to the doctor about his/her policy on telephone consultations, who provides coverage to patients when he/she is on vacation, what you should do if you get ill on a weekend or there is an emergency. 

Find out from the doctor or the office staff about additional fees, how co-payments are handled, and office hours. Confirm their affiliation with York Hospital and Gettysburg Hospital. 

While you are with the doctor, consider personal factors. You have to feel comfortable with the doctor. You want a doctor who has patience and listens to your concerns. It is important to feel that you can establish trust with the physician.