Who is your first point of contact when you have a medical need? Whether it be sudden cold symptoms, an unexpected rash, or a nagging pain, a family physician can be the right answer for most healthcare situations.
Medical emergencies are the exception. An emergency is a valid reason to visit the emergency room, but far too many people can use the ER or urgent care as their primary source of care. Here are a few ways that a primary care physician can benefit you and your family.
1 - Family doctors follow your life cycle
Primary care physicians can treat people from toddlers to people in their 90’s. Some family practice doctors often see the same patients for years or even decades.
Because family practitioners treat a wide range of conditions they can be your primary care physician at any point in your life. This allows you to build a long-term, lasting relationship with your doctor where they truly get to know you.
2 - They know your personal history
When doctors treat you for years, they get to know your medical history inside and out. This helps them make accurate diagnoses, watch for red flags, and monitor changes in your health over the years.
And, seeing multiple generations of a family can help a doctor record accurate and in-depth family history. For example, if your doctor knows that your mother had cancer at a young age, they will know to be proactive with you and screen at an earlier age.
3 - They can treat more than you think
Family doctors do your annual check-ups, but they can also help you manage chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis. They can also be your go-to for acute situations like sinus infections and injuries.
Primary care providers can also perform minor surgical procedures, like freezing a wart or draining an abscess. These are just a few examples, but the list goes on and on.
4 - If you need a specialist, they can help find the right fit
If you need a specialist for heart disease, cancer, or any other serious concern, a family doctor can help find someone who fits your needs and personality.
5 - They can improve lives and save money
There’s evidence (in America and abroad) that using more primary care services saves money for a healthcare system. For example, according to an insurance study, a 23% increase in primary care spending in Rhode Island led to an 18% reduction in total healthcare spending.
And data suggests that adding one primary care physician (such as a family doctor) for every 10,000 people can lower hospital admissions by 5.5%, emergency room visits by 11% and surgeries by 11%.
Looking for a primary care provider? We’re here to help!
Advanced HealthCare is an independent and community-minded office located in the heart of Evansville. Our caring health care providers take a personal approach to health care, and they are equipped to handle both routine and acute medical care 5 days per week.
From routine family medicine to sports and DOT physicals, we have you covered and can generally schedule the same day with one of our providers. Give us a call at 812-479-9500 to get started!