Welcome to the Brookside and Waldo neighborhoods of Kansas City, two historic areas of the KC metro that are known for their charming homes, boutique shops and unique dining. Established all the way back in the 1840s, these areas have remained family-oriented neighborhoods that has never lost their old-time sense community.
If you’re new to the Brookside or Waldo area, you’ve probably already fallen in love with this slice of the city. But you also probably have questions – for example, how should you go about finding a primary care doctor in Kansas City? How can you find one that’s specific to your area that will meet all of your family’s needs and expectations?
That’s where we come in. At ProPartners Health, we’re here to help you find the best medical care that’s tailored to your needs and your location. So follow these pointers to see how you can find a primary care physician in Waldo or Brookside!
What Do Primary Care Physicians Provide?
First, to determine whether a primary care physician is right for you, let’s take a look at what their specialties and offerings are.
A primary care physician (commonly shortened to PCP) is a general practitioner, meaning they have a broad knowledge of medicine and common conditions and illnesses, and thus are equipped to be your first point of contact for every non-emergency medical need. If you have an issue they can’t treat within their office, they can refer you to a specialist or help you find alternative treatment options.
Primary care physicians also provide preventative care, such as vaccines and regular checkups, to help you keep yourself and your family from needing more expensive visits due to serious illnesses.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Provider
Now that you know what a PCP can offer, let’s look at how to choose a practice. Here is a quick checklist of questions to ask yourself before you begin your search.
How long does it take to get an appointment? It’s not uncommon that you may have to wait months just to get a physical, but for urgent matters you don’t want to end up having to wait too long. Make sure to also ask questions about cancellations and rescheduling practices. Are there any penalties for cancelling on short notice? Most practices have at least a 24-hour cancellation policy, while some may bump you further back in the line if you do reschedule. Knowing this ahead of time can save you from a practice that may not be a good fit for you and your family.
Does the practice have a patient portal for viewing test results and appointments? Being able to access your medical information and test results is important. This is a great resource for saving time in getting your latest diagnostic results and medical history. It’s also a place where you can send your PCP non-emergency medical questions. You want the peace of mind that you will be able to reach your doctor as well as the staff.
Keep your needs in mind. Every person has unique health needs. Ask your prospective physician about their areas of interest. For instance, if you have a chronic condition like diabetes you may want to look for a doctor with a special interest in diabetes care or one that has a lot of experience in treating diabetic patients. It never hurts to do a cold call and form an impression of the practice before making your final decision.
How to Find a Primary Care Physician in Brookside and Waldo, Kansas City
At this point you probably know what you’re looking for in a primary care provider. But how do you find a doctor that’s in a convenient location near the Waldo or Brookside neighborhoods?
There are a couple ways to go about this.
First, try an online directory of physicians. Follow this link to be directed to a comprehensive list of doctors that are located in the Waldo area of Kansas City, or select this one to see a list of doctors in Brookside.
Another option for finding a good primary care physician is to ask trusted friends, family or neighbors who know the Waldo and Brookside areas. Often word-of-mouth can be the most effective tool for discovering resources, so check with others in your area to see who they recommend. You may even try using a Facebook neighborhood group to get advice, suggestions and even reviews from your neighbors and others who live within Waldo or Brookside.
ProPartners Direct Primary Care
Still have questions? ProPartners Healthcare is here to help you find a primary care physician that’s affordable, accessible and always on your side. Our Direct Primary Care model allows you to have direct access to your physician 24/7, and gives you the opportunity to make same-day appointments with no middle-men, deductibles or co-pays. You just pay a low monthly fee in exchange for unlimited access to your ProPartners MD in Kansas City.
For outstanding direct primary care in Waldo in Brookside, get to know the ProPartners physicians today. You can also read what others are saying about us. We look forward to partnering with you on your journey to better health and wellness.