9 Qualities to Look for in a Primary Care Physician — and 3 red flags

Choosing a primary care physician (PCP) is one of the most important healthcare decisions you’ll make.

Your PCP serves as the foundation of your health journey, coordinating your care, managing chronic conditions, and guiding prevention strategies.

Understanding what distinguishes exceptional primary care from merely adequate care can transform your health outcomes and quality of life.

Here,  Dr. Martin Fee, president of Hoag Medical Group, shares nine things to look for in a PCP – and three big red flags.

1. Board certification and training

Look for physicians who are board-certified in their specialty (internal medicine, family medicine, or pediatrics). Board certification demonstrates completion of rigorous training and ongoing commitment to maintaining current medical knowledge through continuing education.

At Hoag Medical Group, all primary care physicians are board-certified and participate in ongoing medical education to stay current with the latest evidence-based treatments and preventive care guidelines.

2. Hospital affiliations and network access

Your physician’s hospital affiliations matter more than you might realize. In emergencies or when you need specialized care, you want seamless access to high-quality facilities and specialists.

For example, Hoag Medical Group PCPs are connected to two nationally recognized hospitals with 24/7 emergency coverage; 400+ specialists across all medical disciplines; integrated medical records ensuring all providers have complete information; direct communication between your PCP and specialists; and comprehensive service offerings.

3. Same-day availability

Health problems don’t follow business hours. Look for practices offering same-day sick appointments, not just advice to visit urgent care or emergency rooms.

Hoag Medical Group accommodates same-day appointments for sick visits, ensuring you can see your physician or their care team when health concerns arise.

4. Technology integration

Modern primary care requires modern tools. Seek physicians who offer:

• Patient Portal Access: Hoag Connect MyChart provides 24/7 access to test results, messaging with your provider’s office, prescription refill requests, and appointment scheduling.
• Telemedicine Options: Video visits for appropriate conditions, providing convenient access to care without compromising quality.
• Digital Health Integration: Electronic health records that ensure comprehensive documentation and easy sharing with specialists when needed.

5. Preventive care excellence

Exceptional primary care physicians don’t just treat illness—they prevent it. Look for practices that provide:

• Comprehensive annual physicals with age-appropriate screening
• Chronic disease management that prevents complications
• Immunization programs following current guidelines
• Health risk assessment with personalized prevention strategies

6. Specialist integration

One of the most critical factors in choosing a primary care physician is their ability to coordinate specialist care when needed. Fragmented care can lead to:

• Duplicate testing and procedures
• Conflicting treatment recommendations
• Communication gaps between providers
• Delayed care and poor outcomes

Hoag Medical Group has an advantage when it comes to care coordination.

• Internal referrals within a unified network of specialists
• Shared medical records ensuring complete information transfer
• Direct physician-to-physician communication
• Care management support for complex medical conditions

7. After-Hours Support

Evaluate how practices handle after-hours care. Exceptional primary care extends beyond office hours through:

• Urgent care integration with your medical records
• Emergency care coordination with hospital-based physicians
• Hoag Medical Group provides 24/7 nurse advice line support (949-688-2773) and operates 18 urgent care locations throughout Orange County, all integrated with your primary care records.

8. Patient-centered care

Look for physicians who demonstrate genuine partnership in your healthcare decisions. This includes:

• Shared decision-making that respects your values and preferences
• Clear communication that explains conditions and treatments in understandable terms
• Respect for your time with efficient scheduling and minimal wait times
• Cultural competency and sensitivity to individual needs

9. Preventive focus

The best primary care physicians emphasize prevention over treatment of established disease. They should demonstrate commitment to:

• Risk factor identification and modification
• Screening program adherence based on evidence-based guidelines
• Lifestyle counseling for diet, exercise, and behavioral health
• Early intervention strategies

Bonus tip: 3 red flags to watch for

Now that you know what to look for in a primary care provider, here’s what to watch out for:

1. Limited Accessibility

Avoid practices where:

• Same-day sick appointments are rarely available
• After-hours care relies solely on emergency room visits
• Appointment scheduling is difficult or inflexible

2. Fragmented Care

Be cautious of physicians who:

• Have limited specialist referral networks
• Don’t communicate directly with specialists
• Lack integration with hospital systems
• Operate in isolation from comprehensive healthcare networks

3. Outdated Approaches

Steer clear of practices that:

• Lack electronic health records
• Don’t offer patient portal access
• Resist telemedicine options
• Haven’t adopted evidence-based care protocols

Now that you know what you should look for – and what to avoid – here’s 20 reasons why to choose a Hoag Medical Group primary care physician:

1. Comprehensive network integration
2. Seamless access to 400+ specialists
3. Two nationally recognized hospitals
4. 18 urgent care locations throughout Orange County
5. Integrated services including imaging, lab and physical therapy
6. Patient-centered technology
7. Online scheduling for convenience
8. MyChart for 24/7 health record access
9. Video visits for appropriate care needs
10. HIPAA-compliant communication platforms
11. A focus on quality and safety
12. Evidence-based care protocols
13. Enhanced safety measures following CDC and state guidelines
14. Continuous quality improvement programs
15. Patient satisfaction monitoring and response
16. Comprehensive service menu
17. Same-day sick appointments
18. Multiple visit types (annual wellness, preventive care, chronic disease management)
19. 24/7 nurse advice line
20. Care management support for complex conditions

Making Your Decision

The right primary care physician combines clinical excellence with accessibility, communication skills, and integration within a comprehensive healthcare network. They should demonstrate genuine partnership in your health journey while providing access to resources that support your complete wellness.

At Hoag Medical Group, we’ve built our practice around these principles, ensuring that choosing us for your primary care means choosing Orange County’s most comprehensive, patient-centered healthcare experience.

Your health is too important to settle for fragmented, isolated primary care. Choose a physician and practice that puts your complete health and wellness at the center of everything they do.

Find an HMG physician.