You should think of a family medicine provider as the quarterback on your care team, and you’re the head coach. The quarterback calls the plays, coordinates with other key players, and holds most of the responsibility. You get to make the big decision of choosing the quarterback. This isn’t a choice that you should rush. Ensuring that you trust your team and have a similar communication style can help the whole team win.

Your family medicine provider is your go-to resource for all things health. That’s why it’s crucial to have a provider that you can turn to and feel a self of familiarity and comfort when dealing with uncomfortable topics. If you are constantly seeing different providers, you may not have fostered the same type of trusting relationship if you were to see the same person for years. Your family medicine provider can have a deeper understanding of both your and your family’s medical history.