If you’re a relatively healthy person, it may seem unnecessary to have a primary care physician. You don’t go to the doctor often and you’re usually not on any medications. When you think about people with primary care physicians, you tend to think of young children or those with chronic health issues.
However, having a primary care doctor is actually important for everyone. Primary care physicians are doctors that you regularly see in order to develop a long-term healthcare relationship. They manage your daily health needs and teach you what you need to do for optimal health. Your PCP will also treat you during illness, as well as refer you to a specialist in times of serious health needs.
Here’s what you should know about primary care physicians and why you need one.
What is a primary care physician and what exactly do they do?
Primary care physicians, also known as PCPs, are healthcare providers that are equipped to regularly help their patients manage their health. These are doctors that really get to know their patients over time, in order to best serve their needs and help them live in optimal health.
When you have a primary care physician, you’ll call them anytime you need a doctor, except for in cases of emergency. Your PCP will get to know you, your health, and your needs, in order to teach you how to best care for yourself, as well as to more accurately treat you during times of illness.
Primary care physicians, which can also be called general practitioners, provide preventative care for their patients by teaching them the best choices for a healthy life. Getting to know their patients, they are better able to identify common medical conditions, as well as treat them. PCPs also provide essential referrals to specialty doctors when necessary.
Having a primary care doctor makes it simple to schedule a doctor’s appointment when the need arises. You can also have regularly scheduled appointments with your PCP that help them get to know you and your medical history in order to best serve you. Many PCPs are available by phone or email to answer health questions and guide you in the right direction.
Why should I have a primary care physician?
A primary care physician gets to know your medical history and sees you over many years. This enables them to effectively offer preventative care as well as to determine your medical needs whenever they arise. When a doctor knows their patient well, they are better able to treat common needs and to identify when specialty care is necessary.
With a primary care physician, you will have a doctor who is your advocate. They will work for your regular, daily health, guiding you to be the healthiest you can be.
Due to their knowledge of you and your health history, your PCP will be able to identify serious health concerns. Their pointed care of these issues can provide early treatment, preventing more serious problems from occurring.
An additional benefit of having a primary care physician is reduced costs. People who have a PCP tend to be healthier, spending less time in the hospital, and less money on medical care. Having a PCP helps to provide overall better quality of life.
How can I find a primary care physician?
When looking for a PCP, you will want to make sure that you find someone you’ll be happy to work with for the long term. Remember, your PCP is someone that you will stick with over the years so that they can get to know you and your health. The last thing you want is to work with a physician that you don’t like or don’t trust.
A great way to start your search is by talking to people that you trust in your community. Ask your family, friends, and neighbors for recommendations. You can also talk to your insurance company to find PCPs that take your insurance in your area.
Bedsiide is a great resource for finding a high-quality primary care physician. No matter how scarce or how saturated your PCP market is, Bedsiide can help you narrow down and discover the best primary care physician for your needs.
