With urgent care centers popping up all over the place and emergency rooms always an option for timely health related issues, it can be difficult for some people to rationalize the need for a primary care physician (PCP). However, establishing care with a PCP is important when it comes to proactively maintaining your health, minimizing your risk for disease onset and providing healthcare within a holistic view. Below are some of the important reasons we believe it is a good plan of action to establish a relationship with a primary care physician.
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The dangers of heart disease cannot be overstated. It is the number one cause of death in the United States for both women and men as well as the top cause of death worldwide. In fact, heart disease kills more people in the US annually than cancer and motor vehicle accidents combined. But despite the prevalence of heart disease, the good news is that there are actionable steps you can take to lower your risk of developing a problem.
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Experts point out that the U.S. healthcare system is moving toward a financial model that is based on value rather than volume. Whereas historically each patient visit to a doctor’s office or emergency room was seen as a revenue opportunity, healthcare systems are now more focused on keeping people healthy and out of the hospital. We can expect this evolution in healthcare to improve the patient experience and help strengthen customer loyalty, build reputation and brand, and even improve the overall health of our communities. And for patients, remaining healthy means spending less money on healthcare, using less time to receive care, and encountering less inconvenience.
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January is National Thyroid Awareness Month, but patients often do not naturally give a lot of attention to this important gland. Your thyroid sits at the front of your trachea, or windpipe, in your neck and while it’s a small gland, it has several crucial functions concerning your metabolism and it helps regulate other body functions by constantly releasing a steady amount of thyroid hormones into the bloodstream.
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Seasonal depression disorder is perhaps better known as seasonal affective disorder (or SAD, an appropriate acronym). Over 16 million Americans suffer from SAD each year. As the American Psychiatric Association explains, the symptoms of SAD are similar to depression but are brought on in the US by the low light levels present during winter.
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Tis the season – unfortunately we’re talking flu season- where you start to wonder if what you’re feeling is more than just the common cold. With December 2 – 8 marking National Influenza Vaccination Week, it’s a timely step to receive your flu vaccine (if you haven’t already) and to better understand the flu symptoms in adults so that if you do get sick this winter, you can tell if you have the flu or have contracted a common cold.
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November is National Diabetes Month which makes it an opportune time to provide education on the basic facts about this disease. Diabetes mellitus is typically a chronic condition but can be effectively managed when caught early. However, when left untreated it can have potentially devastating effects and lead to potential complications that include heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, and nerve damage.
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Pediatricians are children’s medicine specialists, treating kids at all stages of life, from newborns to adolescents. Your pediatrician may even develop into a trusted family friend, having helped your child through common childhood illnesses, injuries from school sports, and even the awkwardness of puberty. Parents tend to select their children’s pediatrician carefully, so it can be a bit nerve-wracking when you feel it may be time to move on to a primary care physician that treats older children and adults.
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In many cases, both a family medical doctor and a gynecologist can provide the well woman care you need, including annual pelvic exams, breast examinations, Pap smears, and mammogram scheduling. With both healthcare providers available to you, how do you decide who to visit for your women’s health maintenance? We will examine this question in detail below and provide guidance.
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While the days of house calls in horse-drawn carriages and baby deliveries by lamplight are gone, modern family doctors still offer some of the same traditional healthcare benefits, specifically, their ability to provide healthcare for the entire family – from children to seniors. It is not at all uncommon for a family physician to treat several generations of the same family, although they can also serve as a primary care physician for an individual. Whether you are single, a new couple or have a large family, a family doctor is there to safeguard the long-term health of you and your family as well as support your medical needs if any health issues arise. Although patients are not required to have a family medicine specialist who they regularly see, a family doctor can provide convenience and simply make it easier to stay healthy.
Here is a look at some specific benefits of seeing a family doctor:
1. Convenient Initial Point of Care
If you’re shopping for groceries, it can be inconvenient and time-consuming to visit half a dozen separate specialty stores, traveling to a produce market, butcher’s shop, bakery, etc. Why not just visit a supermarket instead? This same concept holds true for family medicine. A family doctor is your one-stop shop for general medical problems and health maintenance, typically including:
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