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Primary care is the day-to-day healthcare given by physicians focused on illness prevention, wellness, and the diagnosis and treatment of common medical conditions. Having a dedicated primary care provider should be the foundation of everyone’s health maintenance strategy. Read on to learn what exactly primary care entails and why it’s so important for your overall well-being.
What Services Does Primary Care Provide?
Primary care physicians are trained to provide a broad spectrum of medical services rather than specializing in one field. Primary care includes:
- Routine checkups to assess your health and perform preventative screening tests. Your primary doctor monitors vitals like weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol.
- Diagnosing and treating common illnesses and infections such as strep throat, ear infections, pink eye, and seasonal flu.
- Management of chronic conditions like diabetes, asthma, hypertension, arthritis, and heart disease. This includes personalized treatment plans and continued monitoring.
- Coordination of care with medical specialists you are referred to such as cardiologists, dermatologists, or surgeons. Your primary coordinates test results and manages medications.
- Ongoing patient education about health, nutrition, chronic disease management, and making positive lifestyle choices. Primary care focuses on the whole patient.
Why You Should Have A Primary Physician
There are many benefits to developing an ongoing relationship with one primary care doctor instead of visiting urgent care clinics or specialists for each health need. Here’s how primary care improves your health:
Oversees Your Total Health Profile
Seeing the same provider for years allows them to get to know your full medical history and health habits. This facilitates more personalized care tailored to you instead of isolated symptom treatment. Your primary care doctor has the full picture of your unique health status and needs.
Provides Preventative Care
Preventative care is vital for detecting issues early and avoiding major problems down the road. Primary physicians make sure you get regular health screenings, exams, and lab tests based on your age, gender, health status, and risk factors. This allows early diagnosis and treatment of any developing conditions before they become advanced.
Manages Chronic Conditions
If you have lifelong conditions like diabetes, COPD, or hypertension, a primary doctor coordinates and adjusts your treatment plan for the best results. Seeing your primary doctor regularly allows close monitoring so your treatment is optimized as your needs change over time.
Knows Your Medications
With a sole provider overseeing your care, your medication list stays organized and appropriate. The doctor monitors for interactions and ensures prescriptions from any specialists align with your overall health profile. Overlapping or contradictory medications are avoided.
Integrated primary care is essential for preventing health crises and achieving optimal wellness. Having an ongoing partnership with a dedicated primary care physician provides the foundation for total health management across your lifetime.
Consolidates Records
All your test results, diagnoses, treatment plans, and health notes are consolidated in one place with a primary physician. Comprehensive medical records in one system facilitate coordinated care instead of scattering your files across multiple clinics.
Provides Referrals
When specialized treatment is needed beyond primary care, an established primary doctor can connect you to the right specialist. They will pass along your background to streamline getting the care you need. Your primary coordinates with specialists and manages follow-up care.
Eases Hospital Transitions
If you require hospitalization, your primary care doctor can coordinate with hospital physicians to continue care before and after your stay. They help manage medications, follow-up treatment, therapy, and home health needs for smooth transitions between sites of care.
