subject: Find A Local Doctor Close To Home [print this page] When you try to find a local doctor, what search parameters do you use? If you live in a big city, different people have different ideas about what is close by. Before you carry your search any further, try to come up with some type of limits that you want to stay inside of when it comes to distance. You need convenience and distance plays a large part of how easy it is for you to get in for an appointment.
Narrowing the Search
Start by deciding just where you want to find a local doctor. While it may be impractical to seek someone out that works right down the street, there is a good chance that you can find someone within the same zip code. Consider setting up certain cross streets that will limit your search. Once you have these established, you can begin to look for a practitioner in that area.
Don't forget that distance is not the only factor to consider. You might be able to find a local doctor that only works a short distance away but if the location is tough to get to or it tends to be near heavy traffic, you should factor in a longer drive when you head in for an appointment.
Home or Work
Are you trying to find a local doctor that is close to home or close to work? Some people would prefer to see someone on the way to and from work. Others want to have someone that is not too far from home. Before you start searching, think about which location is more of a priority. For some people, if an office can be found near the home or near work, it just expands the amount of acceptable distance.
Benefits of Proximity
There are several real benefits to being able to find a local doctor close to home. Time tends to be valuable and most people don't have a lot to spare. When they make an appointment, they want to get there, get seen by the practitioner, and then get out as soon as possible. The longer the distance, the longer the entire experience takes. For those looking to squeeze in an appointment on their lunch hour or on the way to work, the closer the office is the more convenient the appointment tends to be.
When going to see the physician is convenient, people don't mind going in for medical concerns. Those with children know that for the first few years, they tend to see a lot of the pediatrician. Having a medical specialist close by can give parents some peace of mind when they have a concern. They can make a phone call and be in to see the physician quickly if they are worried about something specific.
