|
Communicate better with your doctor using our helpful hints.
New to the area and need a primary care doctor? Click here to find an OSU Medical Center primary care physician.
Need a physician in another specialty? Click here.
Find the OSU Primary Care Network location closest to you.
|
Access To Excellence
Find Quality Care Close to Home through OSU Medical Center’s Primary Care Network
In today’s fast-moving, mobile society, people often lose touch with some of the basic cornerstones of healthy living. One worth hanging onto is a relationship with a primary care doctor.
“People who develop relationships with a primary care provider have better outcomes,” says Mary Jo Welker, MD, chair, Department of Family Medicine at Ohio State's Medical Center, and executive director of OSU Medical Center’s Primary Care Network. “When you establish a good relationship with your primary care provider, you can feel comfortable talking about health concerns, sharing your family history and asking questions about your health. Your doctor is your partner in health care, teaching you about good health habits, disease prevention, coping with life’s stressful events, and because your doctor knows you, he or she may be able to recognize subtle changes that may be the early warning signs of disease.”
Make the most of each visit with your primary care physician by avoiding episodes of “Doorknob Syndrome.” Doorknob Syndrome happens at the end of the exam, when the physician has his or her hand on the doorknob to leave the room and the patient says, “Oh, by the way…” This happens quite frequently, often because patients are afraid or embarrassed to mention a symptom. The patient-physician relationship relies on upfront and accurate communication, so don’t allow yourself to fall victim to Doorknob Syndrome.
OSU Medical Center’s Primary Care Network offers numerous locations throughout the Columbus area. Choosing a primary care doctor at an OSU Medical Center primary care office also gives you and your family access to the comprehensive services and specialists of OSU Medical Center. Primary care providers work in close collaboration with specialists, including neurologists, orthopedic surgeons and pulmonologists. They also benefit from awareness of the many clinical trials and advances in medicine that are going on here.
“It’s especially valuable for parents and children if a regular physician is seen for routine checkups and screenings, as well as for health problems,” adds Cami Curren, MD, clinical assistant professor of Internal Medicine at OSU Medical Center. “A doctor who really knows you knows what to look for in terms of development and growth. The doctor can also provide parents with anticipatory guidance on the developmental and behavioral challenges that lie ahead." |