Looking for a new primary care provider?

Searching for a new primary care physician may seem daunting at first, but Courtney Snyder, D.O., a family medicine physician at the NCH Medical Group Harper College facility in Palatine, counsels patients that focusing on a few key qualities is most important.

Begin by asking friends and family for referrals, to see whom they recommend or know personally, and then Dr. Snyder recommends doing some additional research. Look at the office location, to make sure it is convenient and has adequate parking. Make sure that online reviews are mostly positive, but bear in mind that patient experiences and needs vary.

Understanding the physician’s credentials is important, and many people don’t know the difference between a Medical Doctor (M.D.) and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.). The main difference of these two credentials is in the philosophy of care. Medical doctors practice an allopathic approach to care, focusing on contemporary, research-based medicine that uses medications or surgery to treat and manage conditions. The osteopathic approach emphasizes an approach that focuses on the whole person, with a strong focus on primary care.

It’s also important to feel you can communicate easily with the physician. Schedule an initial appointment to evaluate how open and easy it was to talk with the physician about your overall health, as well as any specific concerns or conditions.

And always check with your insurance provider to make sure they’re covered in your insurance plan.

Dr. Snyder says she decided to pursue family medicine because she enjoys treating a wide of conditions and patients of all ages – both children and adults. “I love the variety because in family medicine every day is different.”

A suburban Chicago native, Dr. Snyder has been practicing with NCH Medical Group since the summer of 2018. Dr. Snyder and the NCH Medical Group practice are open to Harper College students and employees but are not specific to them; they welcome patients of all ages.

Dr. Snyder says that “getting patients invested in their health” is her primary goal and emphasis of the practice. “The importance of self-care – whether that is making time to get your 150 minutes of exercise weekly or prioritizing a good night of sleep. It’s astonishing how many things can be improved by healthy eating, sleeping and activity.”

If you are looking for a new physician, visit NCH.org/doctors to learn more about the primary care and family medicine physicians at NCH. To request an appointment with Dr. Snyder or her partner Mukesh Kumar, M.D., call (847) 618-0121.