When it comes to health, preventative care is the cornerstone to overall wellness.
Unfortunately though, less than 10 percent of American adults 35 and older receive the preventive health services recommended to them. Staying on top of recommendations and potentially improving your health outcomes is simpler than you might think— and it starts with finding a Connecticut primary care doctor in your area.
Types of Preventive Care Services
Access to primary care offers early detection and treatment of disease, management for chronic health conditions, and potentially lifesaving preventive care and screenings. Here are some common preventive care services that Milford, CT primary care doctors provide:
Routine Check-ups and Physical Examinations
Whether you have underlying health conditions or consider yourself generally healthy, primary care doctors encourage all patients to schedule regular check-ups. Many patients attend annual exams, while others see their primary doctors more regularly depending on medical history, age, and other needs. These regular visits allow your doctor to assess your overall health, monitor vital signs, evaluate risk factors, and address any other concerns.
Vaccinations and Immunizations
Staying on top of recommended vaccinations is a simple, safe way to prevent the infection and spread of life-threatening illnesses. Primary care doctors can help you stay on schedule by administering immunizations for illnesses such as influenza, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis, and more.
Health Screenings
Taking part in recommended health screenings increases your chances of detecting health conditions in their preliminary stages. Early diagnosis prompts further evaluation and quick treatment of conditions such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs), diabetes, distinct types of cancers, and more.
Primary care doctors recommend different health screenings based on age, gender, family history, and individual risk factors. Routine screenings may include blood pressure measurements, cholesterol checks, diabetes screenings, cancer screenings (such as mammograms and colonoscopies), sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, and more.
Counseling and Behavioral Health
Mental health is an important part of overall wellness. Your primary care doctor can act as the first step in not only diagnosing common mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety, but also referring you to specialists if further treatment is necessary.
Primary care doctors do more than screen for common mental health conditions. They offer counseling and guidance on lifestyle and behavioral choices that impact health. Depending on your symptoms, your primary care doctor can help determine if your diet, physical activity levels, stress management, or other lifestyle choices such as smoking, alcohol, or substance abuse is contributing to poor health.
Chronic Disease Management
With careful monitoring and management, it’s possible to maintain a positive quality of life with many chronic health conditions. A primary care doctor can help you achieve this by guiding you in managing chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), asthma, heart disease, and more. They not only monitor these conditions, but also provide education, self-management strategies, medication recommendations, and suggestions for lifestyle modifications to prevent complications and maintain optimal health.
Risk Assessments, Health Education, and Health Promotion
In addition to lifestyle choices, your overall health is determined by individual risk factors and family history. Primary care doctors assess these risk factors and can offer personalized recommendations, early interventions to mitigate risks, and tips to promote healthy behaviors.
Primary care physicians can also offer general guidance on health topics such as nutrition, exercise, weight management, reproductive health, family planning, contraception, sexual health, and more.
Referrals and Coordination of Care
One of the most important roles of primary care doctors is to act as a gateway for specialized care in Connecticut. This means your primary care doctor will serve as the central point of contact for all your healthcare needs, even those beyond the scope of services provided. They may refer patients to medical specialists for further evaluation or treatment of certain illnesses, communicate and coordinate care across multiple healthcare providers, and ensure a streamlined, comprehensive patient experience.
How to Choose the Best Primary Care Doctor in Milford, CT
Are you looking for general preventive care, or do you have specific health circumstances? Assess your current and future healthcare needs so you know what type of physician you’re looking for.
Next, search online for primary care doctors in Milford, CT and look into recommendations from friends, family, or healthcare professionals. As you research, verify the primary care doctor you are considering is licensed to practice in Connecticut— you can search for credentials through the Connecticut State Medical Board.
Check if the primary care doctor accepts your health insurance. Reach out to your insurance provider or review their online directory to ensure the physician is in the network. Then, once you’ve narrowed down your options, consider scheduling an initial appointment with the primary care doctor you’re interested in seeing. During the consultation, you can ask specific questions, assess your comfort level, and determine whether or not it’s the right fit.
Find Trusted Primary Care Doctors in Milford, CT
Finding a primary care doctor that’s right for you is a personal decision based on your individual needs and preferences. It’s important to have a doctor who you feel aligns with your values, advocates for your needs, communicates well, and provides comprehensive care tailored to your specific health requirements.
At PACT, we have a number of providers offering trusted primary care in Milford, CT and other locations. Learn more about primary care services at PACT today.
To schedule an appointment, request an appointment online or call a local center near you.
About PACT
Physicians Alliance of Connecticut (PACT) is a multi-specialty medical group led and operated by more than 50 physician-members. We are committed to healthcare excellence, innovation, safety and quality in private-practice patient care in the New Haven area of Connecticut.