Why You Need a Primary Care Provider
Imagine this scenario: One summer, Mary feels irritable and anxious much of the time. She thinks she is having panic attacks, so she visits a counselor. The next winter, she goes to the emergency department for heart palpitations. The following spring, she notices that her periods have become irregular, so she consults her gynecologist.
After many months, she learns that an overactive thyroid was causing her symptoms. However, no single provider had every piece of the puzzle, so it took her a long time to get an accurate diagnosis. A primary care provider (PCP) — a doctor, physician assistant or nurse practitioner who cares for overall health — would likely have been able to diagnose the cause of her symptoms much sooner.
It’s important to develop a relationship with a PCP who gets to know you and your medical conditions over time. We refer to this relationship with a PCP as your “medical home”.
Specialists, urgent care providers and emergency room doctors are experienced in their area of medicine; however, they do not usually know you and your health history like your PCP will.
In addition to seeing the “big picture” of your health, a PCP can:
- Maintain your comprehensive medical record, including medications, vaccinations and allergies
- Understand your family health history and how it relates to any conditions you have
- Track your screenings and immunizations to make sure you’re up to date
- Coordinate specialist care and multiple diagnoses
- Provide counseling about wellness, nutrition and healthy lifestyles
Which provider is best for you?
- A family medicine doctor gives general medical care to people of every age. He or she forms ongoing relationships with patients and makes referrals to specialists when necessary.
- A geriatrician provides medical care for elderly people and has expert knowledge of many conditions older adults experience
- .A gynecologist cares for women’s health and may also offer general medical care to female patients.
- A family nurse practitioner (or FNP), like a family medicine doctor, offers comprehensive care for patients of all ages.
- An internal medicine doctor provides general medical care for patients with complex or chronic conditions.
- A pediatrician offers general medical care for infants, children and adolescents.
To find a primary care provider near you visit NWMedicalGroup.com.
This wellness information is provided by your friends at Northwest Health.
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