This Issue

Primary care

Honesty at heart of good medical partnership

Your primary care provider — the CEO of your health care

Q & A

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A closer look

To check a particular doctor’s background, contact the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine at (800) 377-0550 or visit http://profiles.massmedboard.org/MA-Physician-Profile-Find-Doctor.asp.

The profile will give:

• Date of licensure in Massachusetts

• Education and training (residency)

• Medical specialties

• Board certification(s)

• Professional information

Address and telephone number
Insurance plans accepted
Hospital affiliations
Availability of translation services

• Awards, research and publications

• Malpractice claims paid, hospital discipline and criminal convictions in the past 10 years

• Disciplinary actions of the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine in the past 10 years

A closer look

Types of primary care providers

Personal health journal

The right choice

Types of primary care providers




  • Internist — treats adults of all ages

  • Pediatrician — treats children from birth to age 18

  • Family practitioner — treats the entire family regardless of age

  • Geriatrician — treats elderly people with complex and multiple diseases

  • Gynecologist — treats females usually of child-bearing age

  • Nurse practitioner and physician assistant — provide primary care under the supervision of a doctor
Personal health journal
A personal health journal — a handy tool for both you and your doctor — is simply a collection of information about your health that you gather and manage. The journal should include not only the names and numbers of your doctors, but lifestyle goals as well. Your health information should be accurate, detailed and current.

A health journal should include:

  • Illnesses and injuries
  • Hospitalizations
  • Surgeries
  • Diagnostic tests, such as X-rays and scans
  • Screening tests
  • Treatments and procedures
  • Allergies
  • Immunizations
  • Medicines, including exact name and dosage
  • Over-the-counter vitamins and supplements
  • Family history of diseases

Be sure to include dates. For instance, if you are hospitalized, make note of the date admitted and the date of discharge. Be specific. If you have had abdominal surgery, specify the type. You do not need to include minor illnesses, such as coughs and colds. Take your journal to your doctor’s appointments.

For more information on developing a family health history
Oral, Head and Neck Cancer
Awareness Week is May 8 – 14.


Photo by Vannessa Carrington/Mass. Eye and Ear

Get screened for head and neck
cancer. It’s free, quick and painless.

Boston Medical Center
Moakley Building Lobby
830 Harrison Avenue
Date: April 2
Time: 8 a.m. - noon
617-638-8260
Tufts Medical Center
860 Washington Street
Date: May 12
Time: 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
617-636-1664
Mass Eye and Ear
243 Charles Street
Date: May 13
Time: TBA
617-573-3340
Dedham Family Dental
Dr. Helaine Smith
30 Milton Street, Dedham
Date: May 11
Time: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
781-326-4600
Mass General Hospital
Voice Center
One Bowdoin Square,
11th Floor
Date: May 13
Time: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
617-726-0218
Remember to call ahead to confirm
time and date
of screenings.

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The right choice

Finding the right primary care physician for you is not always easy and it shouldn’t be taken lightly. It is one of the most important relationships you will ever have. This is the person who will monitor and direct all your care. You need to be sure. There are many factors to consider.



Types of primary care providers




  • Internist — treats adults of all ages

  • Pediatrician — treats children from birth to age 18

  • Family practitioner — treats the entire family regardless of age

  • Geriatrician — treats elderly people with complex and multiple diseases

  • Gynecologist — treats females usually of child-bearing age

  • Nurse practitioner and physician assistant — provide primary care under the supervision of a doctor