A primary care physician is a doctor who provides general medical care for patients. They are the go-to medical professional when you have a health concern or need to see a doctor. If you need a referral to a specialist, you are most likely going to need to see a primary care physician first.
Many people do not have a primary care physician (PCP), and may not understand how important having a PCP is. There are many services a primary care physician (PCP) can provide that are important for overall health and wellness.
In this article, we give you the biggest benefits of having a primary care physician.
Personalized Care
Primary care physicians foster long-term relationships with their patients. This allows them to provide personalized care and treatments based on your individual needs, preferences, and treatment ideology. For instance, some patients do not want to take medications if it is avoidable by any means. Their primary care doctors work with them to find solutions that work best for them instead of giving them cookie-cutter treatments.
Diagnosis and Treatment of a Broad Spectrum of Illnesses and Conditions
Your primary care doctor is the one to go to when any health problem occurs. Whether it’s for a sinus infection, back pain, or for a regular physical, your primary care doctor can take care of a wide spectrum of illnesses and healthcare needs. Seeing the same physician over several years garners much more effective care than seeing a new physician every time a health problem pops up.
Chronic Disease Management
Many people develop chronic diseases, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and arthritis, over their lifetime. Such conditions require regular monitoring and treatment. By working with your primary care physician, you can develop a plan to manage such conditions effectively long-term. This may include lifestyle changes, medication management, and close monitoring.
Referrals and Coordination of Care
Primary care physicians can give patients referrals to specialists, when necessary. In fact, many specialists do not see patients without a referral. One benefit of a primary care physician referral is that it ensures that you have one doctor who can connect you to the right specialists and is aware of all things related to your health and treatments. Primary care doctors serve as coordinators, keeping detailed notes of your overall health and all your medications, so you can avoid complications such as drug interactions.
Preventive Health Services
You can receive preventive care such as health screenings from your primary care physician, which can help catch potential problems early on before they become serious. Primary care physicians usually schedule annual checkups and wellness checkups to stay on top of your health, stave off diseases and illnesses, and diagnose conditions early on.
It’s important to protect yourself from serious diseases through vaccinations – especially if you have certain medical conditions that put you at higher risk. Your primary care provider can advise which vaccines are right for you based on your individual needs and recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Experienced Primary Care Physicians in Irmo, SC
SC Internal Medicine Associates and Rehabilitation offers world-class, patient-centric primary care services. Our primary care doctors treat our patients like family and are committed to their health and wellness. We are a recognized patient-centered medical home (PCMH), which means our doctors provide enhanced care for better patient health.
We have internal medicine providers and family medicine providers to serve people of all ages and backgrounds. To schedule an appointment with one of our PCPs, call our office today at (803) 749-1111, or use our convenient online request form.
