Primary Care

A mother schedules her next clinic visit for her children in the waiting room at Richfield Medical Group in Minnesota.

August 31 2022

When to Schedule a Clinic Visit for Your Child

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Having a trusted primary care doctor near you is essential as you take care of your family. Children face a myriad of health challenges and risks that can be difficult to diagnose and treat without the help of a family doctor. When your child presents with pain, illness, or lingering symptoms, it can sometimes be hard to decide whether or not they require medical attention.

When determining whether to schedule a clinic visit, a set of guidelines can be immensely helpful. Consult this checklist to learn how best to proceed with the medical care of your child.

If It’s Urgent, Go to the Emergency Room

Certain symptoms can be cause for immediate concern, and in such cases, you should take your child to the nearest emergency room or urgent care facility immediately. If your child experiences any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention right away:

Persistent, intense vomiting
Labored breathing
Eye tearing for more than 15 minutes, or eye trauma
Cuts or gashes that may require stitches
Head trauma
Fever over 100.4 degrees for an infant, or over 105 degrees for a toddler and older
Severe headache
Refusal to eat or drink
Signs of serious dehydration

These symptoms could be caused by a larger issue impacting your child’s health, and they should be dealt with urgently.

If It’s NOT Urgent, Schedule a Clinic Visit

If it is clear that your child is not in immediate danger of an urgent health issue, you may need to schedule a clinic visit and consult with your local family doctor instead. Call a physician and schedule an upcoming appointment in the event of:

1. Chronic Symptoms

Symptoms that periodically arise, fade away, then resurface days or weeks later could be the sign of a condition or ailment requiring treatment. Chronic issues such as joint pain or headaches are often associated with an underlying cause that can be assessed and treated by a family care provider.

2. Long-Lasting Symptoms

If a mild symptom, such as dull pain, fatigue, or fever persists for an extended period of time, it could indicate that the body is dealing with a chronic issue or is having trouble fighting an illness. Symptoms that persist for more than a few days should be treated by your primary care physician.

3. Mild Injuries

Injuries that result from sports, falls, or other activities and result in swelling or lasting pain could be cause for concern. Hairline fractures, sprains, and strains can become worse over time if they are not properly treated, so always schedule a clinic visit when faced with these minor injuries.

4. Persisting Pain

Pain is a bodily response that tells you not to use a certain extremity or signifies a complication or stressor. Pain that persists for hours or days is not natural or normal, and it should be addressed promptly by a primary care doctor near you.

5. Topical Ailments

Rashes, burns, and hives can occur due to a wide variety of factors. An allergic reaction, for example, requires different treatment than an abrasion. Before resorting to a topical ointment or cream, consult your family doctor regarding identification of the issue and next steps.

6. The Start of a New Sport Season

Many sports require physical exams for athletes to register. Even in sports devoid of this requirement, it is a prudent family practice to stay up-to-date on your child’s physicals when they are engaged in athletic activity. Your family doctor will be able to offer recommendations that could help your child remain healthy and strong throughout the season.

7. When You’re Not Sure

When in doubt, schedule a clinic visit. The longer you wait to address issues, the more damage they could potentially incur on your child’s health. If you have lingering uncertainties about an illness or injury, book an appointment to be sure.

8. At Least Once Per Year

Having healthy children is satisfying and reassuring. If your children have not required medical attention in the past year, schedule a clinic visit to ensure their health is on a positive trajectory. Physicals are recommended for patients of all ages on a yearly basis to help prevent issues from developing and identify any causes for concern in the early stages.

Promote Your Child’s Health with Richfield Medical Group

Working with a doctor who knows your family and can deliver customized, intentional health solutions will help keep your children safe and healthy for whatever life throws at them.

If you’re searching for a primary care provider in the Twin Cities, consider the doctors at Richfield Medical Group. We are a patient-first clinic, dedicated to meeting your family’s health care needs with effective and convenient treatments. Whether you need an annual checkup, a same-day appointment, or chronic symptom management, our team of providers are here for you. Schedule an appointment and meet our care team. At Richfield Medical Group, we deliver primary care for the whole family – in Minneapolis and beyond.

A patient and doctor meet in the office.

August 25 2022

3 Tips for Choosing a New Primary Care Physician

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Finding the right family doctor is important for short- and long-term care. Primary care physicians are the first line of defense for illnesses, referrals or other needs relating to your health. If you are searching for a new primary care physician, consider the health needs of your family. With the right family doctor, you will enjoy visits and will feel empowered in your healthcare.

Consider all the factors when choosing a new primary care physician. From location to reviews to the services they offer, there are many elements to weigh. Here are three tips for choosing a new primary care physician to guide you during your search.

Consult Your Insurance Network

One of the first things to consider when choosing a new primary care physician is if they are part of your insurance network. While some insurances will cover a portion of out of network appointments, seeing doctors who are covered by your insurance company will help you get the most out of your insurance coverage as well as out of your appointments.

Contacting your insurance company is the best way to determine if a doctor is in-network. Here are a few common insurance companies in Minnesota:

To find local family doctors near you who are in-network, first create a list of nearby physicians you want to research. From there, you can take the next step in choosing a new primary care physician by cross-referencing this list with your insurance provider.

Do Your Research

A patient meets with their doctor over a video chat.

Once you have a list of potential doctors, the next step is to do your research. Learn about family doctors near you and how they can treat you and your family. Consider where each office is located, taking into account that many doctors offer virtual appointments in addition to in-person clinic visits.

Another important consideration when choosing a new primary care physician is their service offering. Medical wellness, pediatric care and chronic disease management are three of the most common reasons to see a primary care physician. If you have certain conditions, illnesses or concerns you need addressed, browse the websites and give the office a call to ensure your healthcare needs are covered by the physician in question.

Schedule an Appointment

A doctor listens to a child during an appointment.

Finally, one of the best ways to know if a primary care physician is right for you is by visiting them in person. When you are searching for a new family doctor, having a personal connection with them is vital. Being able to openly share your symptoms and concerns with your doctor is key for better healthcare. By scheduling an appointment with a new physician, you will be able to see firsthand how they go about treating you and getting to know you.

If you do not want to schedule an appointment quite yet, try calling them and getting to know them over the phone. By vetting potential doctors, you will feel more confident and comfortable bringing your family there for care.

Find Your New Family Doctor

The process of choosing a new primary care physician can be overwhelming. That is why the doctors and care team at Richfield Medical Group treat you with the utmost care and respect. Our care team is made up of experienced doctors, nurses, and pharmacists who listen and make your health our top priority.

If you are looking for a great family doctor near you, schedule an appointment with Richfield Medical Group. Whether you need preventative care, chronic illness management, pediatric care, dermatology or other healthcare services, our team is ready to help. Find better healthcare in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Edina and the greater Twin Cities metro area by contacting us today.

A Dedicated Primary Care Provider shares her stethoscope during a well child visit at Richfield Medical Group in Richfield, MN.

August 9 2022

Why Your Family Needs a Dedicated Primary Care Provider

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It can be easy to put regular appointments on the back burner. If you and your family feel healthy, you may think there is no reason to see a dedicated primary care provider. But regular checkups with a family doctor are meant for many things, not just getting healthier. When you meet with a primary care provider, you are taking your health into your own hands. These appointments help you not just get healthier, but to stay healthy in the first place.

This is why your family needs a dedicated primary care provider. A family doctor who knows you and your family can help treat many aspects of your health. From screenings to prescriptions to immunizations, your trusted family doctor can empower you to take care of your health and promote better lifestyle habits. Consider why your family needs a dedicated primary care provider, and how you can take your health into your own hands.

Healthier Lives

First and foremost, having a family care provider promotes a healthier life. A 10-year study from Stanford Medicine shows that people who meet with a dedicated primary care provider regularly are overall healthier and even see a life expectancy increase. Appointments are your family’s opportunity to fill prescriptions, get health screenings and ask questions about your health. When your family regularly meets with a healthcare provider, you can receive regular and timely care.

Preventative Care

Primary care providers can see your family for preventative care, such as vaccinations, physicals and general checkups. When your family gets regular care, even something like taking vital signs can promote a healthier life. High blood pressure, for example, can be an indicator of larger issues, such as hypertension. In addition, immunizations for children are necessary for school, as well as a healthy life. You can also get flu shots, COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters and other preventative care when you meet with a family doctor regularly.

Chronic Care

If you need regular checkups for big-picture illness, such as hypertension, diabetes or migraines, a dedicated PCP can help. When a provider understands your family’s medical history, they can use that to guide their care and decisions. You can also work with your family doctor to catch any potential problems or changes in your health and chronic condition with regular appointments.

Convenient Care

Annual appointments with a dedicated family doctor can make healthcare more convenient. By scheduling your family’s appointments on a regular basis, you can consolidate trips to the doctor. For example, many people get flu shots in the fall. While your family is at the clinic to get their shot, they can schedule an appointment with the dedicated primary care provider and get a general wellness check at that time, too.

These appointments are also a great opportunity to refill prescriptions or bring up any questions you may have about your health. When you know you have an appointment coming up, you may be more aware of your body and your health. Then, you can bring up any questions or concerns to your doctor more quickly. Rather than having to search for a doctor every time you or your family needs care, a primary care provider for your family can make appointments easy, efficient and convenient.

Better Care

Finally, a family doctor will be able to deliver better care. A dedicated primary care provider will get to know you and your family. When a doctor understands your health history, they can better treat you by looking for potential illnesses or disease. Your health history is important to guide future decisions. That is why having a dedicated primary care provider who knows you and your family can make more informed decisions when treating you.

When you meet regularly with your doctor, you won’t have to explain yourself or your history every time, either. This can be convenient and can save time during appointments. With a dedicated family doctor, you can build a trusted relationship with a provider who knows and understands your needs and the needs of your family. When you trust your healthcare provider, you will feel more comfortable asking questions, bringing up issues or symptoms you’re feeling, and your doctor will be able to treat you better overall.

Find Care with Richfield Medical Group

Health happens. From chronic headaches to sports physicals to immunizations, your family’s health should be top of mind. This is why you need a dedicated primary care provider. A family doctor who knows your family, your health history and you can deliver convenient and dedicated health care.

If you’re looking for a family primary care provider in the Twin Cities, consider the doctors at Richfield Medical Group. We are a patient-first clinic, dedicated to the health and care of you and your family. Our providers in the Minneapolis area are there for your family’s needs. Whether you need an annual checkup, a same-day appointment or chronic care, our team of family providers are there for you. Schedule an appointment and meet our care team. At Richfield Medical Group, we deliver primary care for the whole family, in Minneapolis and beyond.

OUR LOCATION

RICHFIELD MEDICAL GROUP
6440 NICOLLET AVENUE
RICHFIELD, MN 55423

612-861-1622