Choosing a Doctor:
A Guide for Teens
Going to a primary health care provider—a doctor or nurse practitioner—is a very important part of taking care of yourself. This guide will help you choose a provider that is right for you.
Click on the topic you are interested in:
Who Are Primary Health Care Providers & Why You Need One
How to Find a Health Care Provider
Health Plans and Health Care Providers
Qualifications of Health Care Providers
Deciding on One Health Care Provider
Don't Like Your Health Care Provider?
How Often You Should See Your Health Care Provider
Who Are Primary Health Care Providers & Why You Need One 
Who are primary health care providers?
Primary health care providers can be doctors, nurse-practitioners, or physician's assistants.
Why do I need a primary health care provider?
You need a primary health care provider so that your health can be checked regularly. This helps to catch any problem early so that it does not become worse. Your provider can talk with you about your health risks, such as smoking, alcohol, sex, seat belts, and nutrition. If you have a serious or unusual medical problem, your provider can refer you to a specialist, someone who knows much more about that kind of problem.
How to Find a Health Care Provider
What should I look for in a primary health care provider?
Think about whether you want your health care provider to be a man or a woman, or if that doesn’t matter to you. You should feel comfortable with your health care provider. It is important for your provider to listen to your concerns and answer your questions and explain things clearly to you.
What if I've turned 13 and I want a provider who sees teenagers?
Your parents or guardian can help you talk to your pediatrician to see if there is someone in her/his office who sees teenagers or if there are special hours for teens to be seen in the office. If not, ask your pediatrician for names of other providers who see teens. You may want your pediatrician to talk to your parents about this.
How do I find the names of health care providers?
Here are some ways to find a health care provider:
Health Plans and Health Care Providers
What if I belong to a health plan?
If you belong to a health plan, your choice of health care providers may be limited to providers that are part of the plan. Sometimes you can choose to see any provider. You should check the plan's list of health care providers in the insurance booklet or on the insurance company’s website. Ask friends or relatives who have the same plan as you for names of their health care providers who they like.
What if I don't belong to a health plan?
If you don't belong to a health plan, it is a good idea to try public health clinics or hospitals and ask about sliding payment scales and free care. Some people are able to pay for each medical visit themselves. If you want to do this, you should find out from the provider’s office how much visits cost.
Qualifications of Health Care Providers
Is there a way I can check on a provider's qualification?
Yes, you have a few options. You can ask friends or relatives who go to the provider. You can also call the provider's office and ask the office staff about the provider's credentials. Every provider should be licensed to provide care by the state in which they work.
You can find out if a provider is board certified by calling The American Board of Medical Specialties at (800) 776-2378 or checking the web site http://www.abms.org/. "Certified" means that the provider has finished a training program in one area of medicine and has passed an exam (board) that tests her or his knowledge, skills, and experience to provide quality care.
Deciding on One Health Care Provider
How do I decide on one primary health care provider?
Once you have made of list of qualified providers, you can call their offices to ask some questions. See if you like the way the staff answers your questions. You need to find out if the provider is covered by your health plan and if he/she is taking new patients. If you don't know if the provider is board certified or what their training is, ask! Some other questions you might ask include:
The answers to these questions should help you decide which provider you want to handle your care. Once you like what you hear, make an appointment with that provider for a general check-up.
Check-Ups
Do I need to bring anything to my first check-up?
You should take a copy of your health records, including immunizations you have had, to your first check-up. You can get these records from your old provider or maybe from your school. Also, bring any medicines you are taking, or bring a list of those medicines. At your check-up, talk about any allergies or reactions that you have had to your medicines.
What will happen at my check-up?
Here are some of the things that usually take place during a check-up:
Talking - Talking before the exam lets the health care provider catch up on your life and health. Your provider will probably want to spend time alone with you (with your parents out of the room). He or she will want to know about school, friends, stress-all of this affects your health. You should ask your provider any questions you have about your health or how to stay healthy.
If you think you might forget important questions, write them down and take the list with you.
The Exam - The physical examination should not be painful. If something hurts, you should tell your provider. Your provider will check your blood pressure, look at your eyes, teeth, and ears. He or she will listen to your heart and lungs and feel your stomach. Your health care provider will check your muscles, joints, and nerves to make sure everything is working well.
Your provider will probably want to examine your penis and testicles (testes). This is done to make sure that your body is growing normally and to check for testicular cancer.
During this part of the exam you may be asked to "turn your head and cough". Your provider is checking for a hernia. A hernia is a weakness in the muscles of the abdominal wall that might allow part of the intestines to poke through. It is not something you can see, but a hernia might be painful. Your provider will place a finger at the top of the scrotum. When you cough, your provider is able to feel a hernia if there is one. A hernia can be fixed with surgery.
Wrapping it Up - After the examination, your health care provider should explain the findings of the exam. Your provider will tell you if you need any other tests or if you need immunizations (shots) to help keep you healthy. Your provider can also tell you about other ways of staying healthy (like wearing a helmet when you ride a bike or skateboard, or wearing your seatbelts in the car). You will also be able to ask questions about your examination or about anything else.
Will I Need a Shot?
During your teen years, you'll get tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis booster shots, and a chickenpox shot (if you haven't had the disease or the shot). You should talk to your health care provider about getting the meningococcal and hepatitis A vaccines to lessen your risk of getting these very serious infections.
What should I do at my first check-up?
Try to be open and honest with your health care provider. You need to decide if you feel comfortable talking to your provider. You need to ask any questions that you may have. Write them down before your appointment so you don't forget! You might want to bring someone along to help you ask questions. See how well the provider answers your questions and listens to you. Are you happy with the provider at the end of your visit?
Asking About Confidentiality
How do I ask about confidentiality?
Before or at your first visit with your primary health care provider, ask about confidentiality (privacy). This is very important and can be hard to bring up. Ask if your health care provider will keep information private about your sexual history, contraception, and other worries. Discuss what your health care provider and you will do when there is something important, like a serious illness, depression, or life-threatening conditions, which should be shared with your parents or someone else. Here are some questions that have to do with your privacy:
Switching Your Health Care Providers
What if I want to switch my primary health care provider?
You should go to a health care provider who you trust and you feel comfortable with. If you want to switch health care providers, you should let your current provider know that you are changing providers. Make sure that you get any medical records that your provider may have, so you can bring them to your new provider, or ask to have your records sent to the new provider.
How Often Should You See Your Health Care Provider
How often should I see my primary health care provider?
You should see your primary health care provider once a year for a regular check-up and more often if you have other health problems or you are taking medication.
Good luck in your search for a primary health care provider!
Updated 2/5/2008
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