Primary Care Doctors/Physicians: Who are they? What are their responsibilities? Know here

Who is a Primary Care Doctor?

Physicians who practice general medicine are known as primary care doctors (PCPs). In the event of illness or injury, we consult primary care physicians first. Often, PCPs are medical doctors but nurse practitioners and physician assistants can occasionally be PCPs as well. If you have a medical issue or need a routine checkup, you see a primary care doctor first.

What becomes confusing for patients is when you add in other words. What are internists? Who is the primary care provider? Are they different from primary care physicians? What is the role of paediatrics? When your health insurance does not cover routine checkups with your primary care physician, what should you do? To make sense of the various terms you’re likely to hear, let’s answer these questions.

Primary Care Physicians and Family Doctors – What’s the Difference?

Doctors who are classified as family doctors specialize neither in children nor in adults. In clinical terminology, a paediatrician is a doctor who specializes in children. It is normally an internal medicine doctor who provides primary care to adults. Family medicine, however, does not mean that the doctor specializes in both simultaneously. 

Patients of all ages can visit them, including children. Specifically, family medicine consists of both examining and treating everyone regardless of age.

Now, what do you think of a “primary care doctor”? They are the ones with whom patients tend to have the closest relationship and receive basic care most often. A paediatrician or family medicine physician can be a child’s primary care doctor. Similarly, an adult can have a primary care physician who is specialized in internal medicine or family medicine and can view the diagnosis as a matter of urgency.

Primary Care Doctor: What Does He Do?

Preventative care is one of the basic health necessities that can be provided by a primary care doctor. They are the ones you go to when you need to have an issue resolved unless there is an emergency.

As your first line of defence, the primary care doctor is the most important person you will see to maintain your health. They either manage your long-term chronic conditions or perform your checkups. They can then refer you to a specialist who can pay close attention to your specific medical needs that go beyond their area of expertise.

What are the benefits of primary health care?

A primary care provider can be vital for a variety of reasons. There is no single reason.

• Preventative care: A wise man once said that prevention is better than cure. It is true of a lot of illnesses. A close relationship with your primary care physician can help ensure that your doctor is aware of your issues and provide preventative care if required.
• Experience: An experienced family doctor, especially one who handles primary care, can advise you on the immunizations your children or you may need under certain circumstances. Medical history and medical conditions can be relatively complex. Your primary care physician can help you understand what your best preventative options are.
• Patient-specific needs. If an individual has specific medical needs related to his or her medical condition, those are regarded as private needs. It’s never convenient for patients to alternate between gynecologists and internal medicine doctors. Good care may be compromised by doing so. Furthermore, it also complicates the patient’s journey through the world of medicine.

What is the importance of primary care physcian?

Having a primary care physician is necessary for everyone regardless of age. A doctor who focuses on family practice might be the best choice for someone young. If you’re older, a geriatrician may be needed. There is one simple point to make – it is important to have a doctor with whom you are comfortable; a healthcare provider who understands your needs and is familiar with your medical history.

Often, primary care doctors are viewed as “generalists” – persons who might not have as much knowledge about certain diseases. This is often the case. Primary care physicians are usually not specialists in particular types of conditions or types of patients. A wide range of knowledge is handled by them and then a referral is given when appropriate.

It’s also essential for you to feel comfortable working with others. At the end of the day, it’s about your health. You should know the location of your primary care physician and what their office hours are. Once you’ve gotten to know your primary care physician, you can trust them with relatively routine problems like high blood pressure.
You will become more comfortable with the process of getting a routine checkup as you become more familiar with it.

Medical Terminology: Understanding Other Words

In light of the myriad terms used these days, patients should have a clear idea of who does what. You’ll be able to get a better handle on how health care works when you understand these terms. Here are a few of them:

• OB-GYN: It is an acronym for Obstetrics and Gynecology.

The care of females is specialized by obstetrician-gynaecologists (OB-GYNs). Sometimes they serve as primary care doctors for adolescents who are beginning to experience menstruation.

• Obstetricians: This term is not to be confused with OB/GYNs. According to WebMD, women’s reproductive health is the specialty of a gynecologist. In addition to helping women during their pregnancy, obstetricians deliver babies and follow up after a child’s birth. The term OB-GYN refers to a healthcare professional who acts as both – an obstetrician and a gynecologist.
• Board-certified: A board-certified doctor is someone who has specialized training beyond what is normally required to become a doctor. Board certification is likely to be more relevant for medical specialists than that of a primary care physician. After board certification, one must obtain a medical license.
• Geriatric: This term refers to those who provide care for the elderly. The medical profession has many professionals that specialize in eldercare.

The Right Kind of Physician: How do you choose one?

The medical dictionary can be overwhelming with terms like primary care physician, family doctor, internal medicine, etc. It’s not as difficult to navigate as you might think when you zoom in on each term.

It is essential to realize that having a primary care physician will help you make sense of our complex world. Ultimately, it shouldn’t be your responsibility to conduct all the research yourself. To understand what needs to be done, talk to your family doctor or primary care physician. If any symptoms arise, you can report those symptoms to them. Your questions about the latest trends in medicine will be answered by your family doctor.

As a result, you’ll build trust and comfort with your primary care physician over time. You are more likely to receive the care you need if you work with someone you have confidence in since you can make informed decisions about your health. As a result, you’ll have greater confidence in your approach towards your healthcare and the health providers with whom you decide to work.

The best time to see your PCP

When you have questions or concerns about your health that aren’t an emergency, contact your PCP. Included in this list are:

• Flu-like symptoms
• An earache
• A stomachache
• Unrelenting headaches
• An itchy rash
• Wheezing but not severe
• A persistent cough

Call the PCP if you have any doubts. A member of the office staff can speak to you and decide if your child needs to go to the emergency room even if the PCP is unavailable. 

You can leave a message for your PCP at night and on weekends and they can contact you.

What Should I Do if I Need a PCP?

Decide what matters most to you before looking for a PCP. 

It is a good idea to consult friends, neighbours, relatives and trusted doctors or nurses for recommendations. 

Finding the right PCP can make a significant difference to your understanding of healthcare, your approach towards it and your ability to decide on suitable preemptive measures.

Primary Care Doctors – FAQs

Question- What do Primary Doctors/Physicians do?

Answer- A primary physician does annual checkups, blood tests and immunizations, help diagnose and manage chronic conditions such as hypertension or diabetes, and acute conditions like heart disease. A primary care doctor is a go-to person when health-related issues arise.

Question- What are the elements of Primary Health Care?

Answer- The essential components of PHC are –

• Educating about health problems and how to prevent and control them.
• Supply of Food and Proper Nutrition.
• Adequate amount of water supply and practicing proper sanitization.
• Maternal and child health, Family planning
• Treatment of common infections.
• Immunization against infectious diseases.
• Prevention and control of endemic diseases.