Whether you’re in the heart of the Historic Northeast, the artsy Crossroads or gorgeous Midtown, Downtown Kansas City is one of the jewels of the Midwest. In fact, Kansas City has even been on National Geographic’s list of top travel destinations for its wealth of unique restaurants, history-laden locales and buzzing art and music scene.

But what about the practical aspects of living in downtown Kansas City? If you’ve recently relocated here, you’re probably less concerned about the cuisine than you are about finding the right services for your family! As Kansas City’s partners in primary care, ProPartners is here to offer you some insight on finding a primary care physician close to the downtown area to care for your family’s medical needs. 

What Do Primary Care Physicians Provide?

First, you’ll need to determine whether a primary care physician is right for you. Let’s look at what these types of doctors can offer.

A primary care physician (commonly abbreviated to PCP) is a general practitioner, so they have a broad medical knowledge. They know how to treat, diagnose and prevent a variety of illnesses and even some injuries. Your PCP is meant to be your first point of contact for every non-emergency medical need, but if you do ever have an issue they can’t treat within their office, they can refer you to a specialist or help you with other 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

Once you know what a PCP can offer, you can streamline your search further by asking yourself these questions:

1. What are my health needs?
   Primary care physicians can have different focuses and specialties. If you are looking for a physician who can treat all ages and genders, you might consider a family practice or general practice. If you have a family history of certain conditions like diabetes or cancer, you might consider seeking a PCP that specializes in prevention and management of those diseases or conditions.

2. How often will I need to go to the doctor?
   You'll want to consider how often you will you need to go to the doctor. If you only go once a year for a preventive checkup or when you're feeling a little under the weather, your doctor’s location may not matter as much. If you need to go frequently to manage a chronic condition, you likely will want to choose a doctor whose office is close to your home or work so it will be easier and more convenient to go to appointments.

3. The answers to the following questions may further help you make the best decision.

• Is the doctor part of a group practice? If so, who are the other doctors that might help care for me?

• Who will see me if my doctor isn’t available?

• Which hospital does the doctor use?

• Does the doctor have experience treating my medical conditions?

• Does the doctor have special training or certifications?

• Are evening or weekend appointments available? What about virtual appointments over the phone or on a computer (telemedicine)?

• What is the cancellation policy?

• How long will it take to get an appointment?

• How long do appointments usually last?

• Can I get lab work and x-rays done in the office?

How to Find a Primary Care Physician Close to Downtown Kansas City

Once you’ve defined your expectations regarding a provider, how do you find a doctor that fits all those needs and is conveniently located in or around downtown Kansas City?

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 Kansas City area, and use the filters to better narrow down your search results to doctors that fit your criteria. 

Many people feel most comfortable visiting a physician who is recommended by someone they know, like a family member, co-worker or friend.  Ask around and see what doctor your friends and family visit.  You can also ask another healthcare professional with whom you have a relationship, like a pharmacist for a recommendation. 

And remember, the best time to find a physician is when you’re not sick. Start searching today so you’re not inclined to make such a big decision under stressful circumstances! 

ProPartners Direct Primary Care

Still have questions? ProPartners Healthcare is here to help you find a primary care physician that’s affordable, accessible and more personalized. Patients love our Direct Primary Care model where they don’t pay monthly health insurance premiums or copays, but a monthly fee instead. Enjoy access to same-day and next-day visits, 30- to 60-minute appointments, and the option to call, email, text, or video chat with a Kansas City Primary Care Physician 24/7. 

For outstanding direct primary care in downtown KC, get to know the ProPartners doctors today!