The relative importance of those qualities varies depending on your needs. If you are seeking a specialist from whom you primarily want technical expertise, you might tolerate poor communication and long waits in the office. However, when selecting a primary care physician, you might focus on the doctor's compassion. Your primary care doctor should have enough concern to give counsel and act as a guide and a support. This is particularly helpful when you need specialty care and must navigate the sometimes bewildering maze of clinics, specialists, and preauthorizations.
Cost is also an issue.
Some insurance policies contain words and concepts that are difficult for lay people to understand. You should understand these terms before you need a physician. The most common diagnoses for which patients visited a doctor's office in 1991 are listed below. Most of these disorders are best treated by a primary care doctor. Principal Diagnosis Visits 1.