If you do not ask for a specific provider, scheduling appointments is generally easier. Also, vacations and emergencies will not leave you without a doctor. And more doctors often mean longer office hours, giving you more flexibility in scheduling appointments. However, you may lose out on consistency of care as scheduling with the same doctor in a timely manner could be difficult. Because the volume of patients far exceeds what one physician can handle, your doctor of choice may be booked solid when you go to make an appointment.
Many practices employ both doctors and nurse practitioners.
They are qualified to diagnose and treat health problems, prescribe medication, and interpret lab work and X-rays, much like a physician. And perhaps because they are first trained as nurses, they often take more time to explain treatments and prognoses and in more layman's terms than do some doctors. Also, because the doctors are often so overscheduled, you may be able to get an appointment with a nurse practitioner more quickly. After you have decided what type of practice and where, then you are ready to look at specific doctors. If you don't want to waste your time sifting through doctors you only heard of through the yellow pages or listed in your PPO directory, get recommendations from friends, family, coworkers, or acquaintances.