primary care physician provides foundational health care to patients of all ages. Often sub-specializing in family or internal medicine, geriatrics, or pediatrics, a primary care physician delivers preventive care, diagnosis and treatment of acute diseases and injuries and manages ongoing conditions. In fact, primary care practices are patients’ true medical homes.
Here’s how to realize the potential of primary care for you and your loved ones.
Take Advantage of Preventive Care
Primary care physicians and their support staff deliver many services that can not only treat disease and injury but also help prevent it. Whether it is an annual wellness visit, vaccination, or a screening for diabetes, cancer, or high cholesterol, your primary care doctor oversees your health and wellness needs both now and in the future.
Your primary care doctor can also refer you for specialty care outside of their practice. Whenever you need an orthopedic referral, mental health services or something else, your primary care doctor can recommend and arrange referralsfor a wide range ofmedical conditions, helping you connect with the provider that is best suited for your needs.
Finally, educational resources are readily available through your primary care physician. Need to know how to prevent falls in the home, or what over the counter allergy medication to take? Better than the internet or asking your next-door neighbor, talking with your primary care provider will give you accurate, you-centered information about how to make lifestyle changes, the right medications and more.
Communicate With Your Primary Care Physician
Your doctor works to support your overall well-being. To facilitate this, it is important that you speak honestly with your primary care provider and in turn, that they listen to you as well. Communication is key to an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan but also to an ongoing, trust-based doctor-patient relationship. Be sure to ask thoughtful questions and be specific in delivering the information your provider needs to provide you with the best care possible.
Use Online Resources
Primary care has the up-to-date information you need available through the practice website. This can include educational blogs, provider biographies, lists of available services, how to prepare for tests and more. Your primary care doctor may also use an online patient portal where you can communicate quickly with your provider and see them face to face via convenient telehealth visits.
Also, you can view your chart online. Your primary care physician keeps your electronic health record accurate, up to date and accessible to other providers as needed. Be sure to read it and update it as needed.
Primary Care Doctor in Irmo, South Carolina
At South Carolina Internal Medicine, LLC, we deliver a full range of diagnostic and treatment services, and are proud of our proficient primary care staff is. However, our continued and best focus is you, the patient. So, if it is time for your annual wellness check-up, call us at (803) 749-1111, or request your appointment online.
We look forward to helping you meet your health goals both now and in the future!
