As family physcians, we spend our time with our patients trying to improve health care outcomes, so that they can enjoy happy and productive lives. We know that happiness is not an automatic result of good health care outcomes, however, and indeed, those who are in poor health sometimes still report that they are happy. What makes the difference? read more »
Our family physicians provide health care for children, and use their relationship and knowledge of the family to provide care that is integrated with the family's unique needs.
When parents choose their family doctor for their child's medical care, they are able to take advantage of the trusted relationship that already exists between them and and their personal physician. Since the family doctor usually already knows the other members of her family, it is easy to include them as appropriate in birth and childcare planning. During pregnancy, as issues of pediatric care are considered, it is routine to anticipate, discuss and plan for care of the baby as well. Questions about breast feeding, safety, car seats, immunizations and sibling rivalry can all be discussed before the baby is born, without waiting to meet a new doctor after delivery.
After delivery, the family doctor often examines the newborn in the presence of the parents, and discusses all of the findings without any delay. Since the mother already knows her baby’s doctor, questions are easy to ask and answer right away, and a good foundation exists for ongoing care throughout the developing phases of childhood.
Our family physicians are residency trained, board certified specialist physicians who take a special interest in providing children with sensitive, collaborative and family centered care , for which they have been trained in both the hospital and outpatient setting. As always, when the care of another type of specialist may be needed, the family physician will be an advocate to be sure that proper consultation is obtained in a timely manner.
Recently we conducted a survey of the patients of Family Care Network, about their interest in Internet communication with their doctor and nurse. Thank you all for helping us to get this interesting information! read more »
The efforts and accomplishments of our local Pursuing Perfection program were studied recently during a gathering of visiting healthcare leaders from around the world. The conference included site visits to FCN offices in Ferndale and Family Health Associates, a health care summit and a community picnic the week of August 23. read more »
The Whatcom Alliance for Healthcare Access formed in 2003 because of a number of troubling local trends. Nearly 100% of private PCP’s closed their doors to new Medicare/Medicaid patients. At the same time there was a need for over 20 new M.D.’s. to meet local demand. read more »
When most people in the public at large think about our health care situation in the United States, it is usually with regard to the high cost of health insurance premiums. Quality is assumed by most people to be present. read more »