These may include simple diagnoses and the writing of some prescriptions. Nurse practitioners provide a valuable service, are highly skilled and can alleviate some of a physician's workload. However, if you feel that a nurse or nurse practitioner has not met your needs, do not hesitate to insist on seeing the doctor, or speaking with him if you are making inquires over the phone. Doctoring in the U.S. has become very departmentalized. Although family doctors, or general practitioners, still exist, many patients eschew these in favor of a more specialized physician.
Women go to gynecologists, children to pediatricians, and so on.
If a doctor is accepting new patients, he or she may require a thorough examination as a pre-requisite, and should definitely include an interview to discuss with the patient his or her general health, and any related problems. The patient's medical history will be inquired about, including a family history of disease or health problems. Accordingly, most doctors charge a higher fee for first time visits. Unless a significant problem is involved where immediate attention is necessary, don't expect to be able to see the doctor in a day or two. For this reason, it is always a good idea to line up a doctor you feel comfortable with well in advance of an emergency situation.