Being mentally and physically healthy can help you keep up with life’s ups and downs. Apart from exercise and a healthy diet, it is important to check in with your doctor regularly to maintain or improve your health.
However, getting quality medical check-ups shouldn’t have to involve long hospital queues. Building a trusted primary care relationship with your physician can ensure you and your family get the medical attention you deserve.
What is Primary Care?
Primary care is medical care for a broad range of conditions and illnesses. It has a team-based approach to meet your needs and is designed to provide low-cost, quality healthcare.
It comprises a variety of accessible, first-contact healthcare services, such as:
- Acute care – Providing short-term treatment for minor injuries and conditions.
- Chronic care and management – Providing ongoing medical care for patients who have chronic diseases.
- Prevention and early detection of diseases and conditions – This includes health screenings and immunizations specialized to each patient’s medical history and needs.
- Medical counseling – This includes patient education, lifestyle counseling, and referring patients for further evaluation and treatment.
Primary care physicians are medical doctors who specialize in family medicine, internal medicine, or general pediatrics. They are also called general practitioners because they handle all types of everyday medical concerns.
Because primary care physicians take the time to understand your medical history and individualized needs, they can build the best healthcare framework that supports you and your family.
Benefits of a Primary Care Relationship
Scheduling regular check-ups and building a long-term relationship with your primary care physician can share the responsibility of maintaining your family’s overall health.
Here are some ways primary care can be beneficial for you and your family.
Accessible and Integrated Healthcare
Having a good primary care relationship will guide you and your family to better medical decisions and lifestyle choices. A primary care doctor can alert you to preventative care and health screenings for early detection and treatment of health issues. They also understand your health history and preferences and can anticipate the medical care you may need in the future. For patients with a chronic condition, having a primary care physician can help them receive ongoing, continuous care.
With a good primary care relationship in place, you and your family can get the medical care you need when and where you most need it.
Better Communication and Coordination of Care
When you have a partnership with your primary care physician, you can communicate with them transparently about your medical concerns. Primary care physicians also have a collaborative approach to providing healthcare, which allows you and your family to express any medical concerns you may have and find the care you need.
Primary care is your medical base, led by a physician and supported by nurses, practitioners, and assistants for convenient and comprehensive healthcare. They may bring in other specialists or refer you to other clinics depending on the care you need. Primary care physicians make sure you receive the medical resources and advice you need to get and remain healthy.
How to Establish a Primary Care Relationship
Finding the perfect fit as your primary care provider takes time. After thorough research and careful selection of your primary care provider, you should make the first appointment to start your primary care relationship. You can prepare for the first visit by listing all the questions and expectations you may have regarding their services. You should also discuss your insurance plan and their available payment plans before your visit to ensure no unexpected costs come your way.
Once you have decided on your primary care provider, the next step is maintaining a healthy relationship with them.
The first step to a good primary care relationship is clear communication between the physician and the patient. You must advocate for yourself and your family during your appointments. Active participation and clear and honest communication positively influence the primary care relationship.
Attending regular check-ups and follow-up appointments will also help your primary care physician get to know you and your family better, which will help them better cater to your medical needs.
Reliable Primary Care in South Carolina
Living a healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to be complicated. Establishing a primary care relationship can help you and your family achieve better overall health and live your lives to the fullest.
In South Carolina Internal Medicine Associates and Rehabilitation, our independent and individualized primary care can deliver convenient, quality healthcare to you and your family.
For over thirty years, we have been servicing patients all over the great South Carolina area with the best patient-centered care. Our primary care team comprised of skilled physicians will partner with you to improve your overall quality of life through preventive care and other services.
You can reach our friendly staff at (803) 749-1111 for more information on our primary care services. To schedule an appointment, you can use our easy-to-use online request appointment form.
We look forward to becoming your trusted primary care provider!
