Should I have a Primary Care Physician?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 93% of children in the United States were in contact with a health care provider over the past year. That number drops to about 82% of adults in the United States who had contact with a health care provider over the past year. The following items outline the value and importance of having a raleigh primary care doctor or qualified health care provider.

  1. Holistic Care

A primary care doctor or health care provider such as a Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner is ideal for patients who develop a cough, feel anxious and depressed or who have questions regarding a vaccine. A primary care doctor focuses on holistic health care. This means the physician/health care provider is trained to treat a wide variety of issues and can help coordinate care for the patient in one central location. A primary care doctor is qualified to discuss a variety of health issues which may range from physical, emotional or mental.

  1. Chronic Disease Management

Chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure, women’s health, mens health, hormone imbalance, diabetes, arthritis and lupus are often challenging to manage alone. A primary care doctor, Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner can aid in staying organized and informed on how the disease can affecting your health.

  1. Level of Comfort

Selecting a primary care doctor Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner whom trust and can easily communicate with is crucial. It is also important to schedule routine appointments with your doctor to discuss any concerns and your overall health. Patients who have primary care doctors reported higher levels of satisfaction compared to patients without a primary care doctor.

  1. Health History Transparency

Taking the time to complete the routine visits with your primary care provider help ensure they have thorough knowledge of your health history. Your health history and family health history are imperative in preventing diseases and aid your doctor, Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner in catching early symptoms of potentially serious conditions.

  1. Reduced Health Costs

Attending regular appointments with your primary doctor may feel tedious, however, research suggests that routine appointments with a primary care doctor reduce a patient’s overall health care costs. Regular screenings, open dialogue with your doctor, and a complete record of your health history all help contribute to reduced health care costs.

  1. Routine Screenings

Taking and recording your blood pressure at each appointment might seem unimportant, but these types of screenings are important when it comes to your health. Regular testing helps to identify symptoms early and intervene before turn into a debilitating health issue.

  1. Early Intervention

While routine screenings may identify certain symptoms or health issues prior to becoming larger problems, your primary care doctor, Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner is also able to ask the right questions and diagnose other health issues in their early stages.

  1. Specialist Referrals

Patients who need a referral to visit an ENT or cardiologist should begin with visiting their primary care doctor. The primary care doctor can provide helpful recommendations for specialists as needed.

  1. Reduced Hospital and Emergency Room(ER) Visits

According to research, patients who visit their primary care physician regularly have fewer hospitalizations and emergency visits than those who do not use a primary care doctor. Waiting too long to visit a doctor or ignoring symptoms can often result in a hospitalization or an ER visit.

  1. Improved Communication

Communication is critical in terms of your health. Communicating your desires, needs and concerns are vital for your doctor, Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner to effectively address your health. Your primary care provider should also feel comfortable having conversations with you regarding their concerns and thoughts regarding your health. Having a long-term relationship with your provider aids in having what can sometimes be a difficult conversation.

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