Primary care doctor fulfills the primary care needs of the general population. Their main purpose is to improve public health by providing easy access to health care. Unlike medical specialists who are focused on treating the problems of a specific organ, system, or disease, primary care doctors focus on the whole individual.
Primary doctors also provide continuing care for persons with undiagnosed signs, symptoms, or health concerns in various healthcare settings – inpatient, office, critical care, long-term care, home care, telehealth, schools, etc.
Let’s talk about the key roles that primary care doctors fulfill in primary care and where you can go in Irmo, SC, to find the best primary care doctor.
They Assess and Diagnose Health Conditions
The very first role a primary care doctor plays in fulfilling your primary health care needs is to diagnose your health problem. For this, a primary care doctor first assesses your condition. They take your medical and family history (if they don’t have it before). If there is a need, they also perform a physical examination.
To provide an accurate diagnosis, in certain cases, primary care doctors order some diagnostic tests, such as diagnostic laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging tests. They interpret the result of your tests to have a deep insight into your overall health and give you a diagnosis.
They Develop a Treatment Plan
Once your primary care doctor gives you a diagnosis and knows the underlying cause of your signs and symptoms, they develop a treatment plan. Treatment plans developed by primary care providers are always tailor-made to meet patients’ unique needs.
In addition to pharmacological modalities like medications, the treatment plan may also involve lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, to address your illness.
They Prevent Health Conditions
The role of primary care doctors is not limited to diagnosing and treating primary health problems, but they are also responsible for informing you on how to prevent them.
Primary care doctors prevent the disease from contracting by utilizing various approaches. They immunize you against communicable diseases and educate you on how to prevent illnesses by modifying your lifestyle. Additionally, primary care doctors prevent diseases through regular wellness checkups and screening. Wellness checkups and screening help them catch the early signs of diseases and combat them.
They also refer you to a specialist for further evaluation and treatment.
They Manage Long-Term Problems
Long-term health problems like high blood pressure, depression, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, asthma, etc., require ongoing care. Your specialist can’t keep track of all the parameters of your chronic health problem. So, a primary care doctor monitors your health, makes essential changes to maintain it, and informs your specialist if there is any abnormality.
Primary Care in Irmo, SC
Primary care doctors are vital to reducing medical costs, spending less time in the hospital, and improving the overall health of the community.
If you need the services of a primary care doctor in Irmo, look no further than the primary care doctors at SC Internal Medicine Associates and Rehabilitation, LLC. Our providers detect your issues early and develop a treatment plan that meets your unique needs. We are committed to providing our patients with the care they need to enjoy their best health.
If you would like to schedule an appointment with one of our excellent providers, call our staff today at (803) 749-1111 or fill out this appointment request form. We look forward to serving you!
