Obstacles to Immunization in Children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
What's A Primary Care Physician (PCP)? - Healthline
A primary care physician (PCP) is a medical doctor trained to prevent, diagnose, and treat a wide range of illnesses and injuries in the general population. They may refer you to specialists for additional care.
Primary care is typically your first step in addressing a healthcare need, such as an illness, injury, or other health concern, or performing routine examinations for preventive care. In the past, a family doctor typically fulfilled that role. Today, many different types of healthcare professionals provide primary care. These can include:
In a large 2019 study, researchers found that people in the United States who had a primary care physician had a better overall experience with their healthcare. The study also determined that those with a primary care physician also received significantly more high-value care.
The study defined high-value care as cancer screenings, recommended diagnostic and preventive care, diabetes care, counseling, and medical treatment.
A primary care physician is a medical doctor who's trained to prevent, diagnose, and treat a broad array of illnesses and injuries in the general population. They can also perform regularly scheduled exams, such as physicals, and order routine blood work. These measures may help prevent or identify health issues.
Primary care physicians provide comprehensive care — which means they can address chronic, long-term conditions like diabetes mellitus as well as acute problems like bronchitis, allergic reactions, or colds and flu. They can also administer vaccines and refer to specialized healthcare professionals for more advanced care.
Training and qualifications
Becoming a primary care physician is a lengthy process that involves many years of education and training.
After 4 years of college for a bachelor's degree, prospective doctors attend medical school, which takes an additional 4 years. Medical school graduates earn either an MD (medical doctor) or DO (doctor of osteopathy) degree.
Once a doctor has earned his/her medical degree, they must complete a residency. During residency, doctors study a particular medical specialty for an additional 3—7 years, depending on their field of medicine.
Some physicians then complete a fellowship, which is even more specific to an area of focus and can last for 1—3 years. Primary care physicians usually study either:
Many doctors decide to become board certified. To become board certified, doctors must complete a residency at an approved medical facility. They must also take a rigorous exam that tests their knowledge of their chosen field.
Primary care physicians can practice in a wide variety of settings, including:
When you see a primary care doctor, you can expect to have access to a full range of health services. Let's take a closer look at the types of services a primary care physician can provide.
Wellness and prevention screenings
Primary care physicians commonly check for:
Acute illness and injury care
If you visit a primary care doctor because you're sick, injured, or have symptoms that concern you, a doctor will likely be able to:
Chronic conditions
If you have a long-term (chronic) health condition, a primary care physician can:
While a primary care physician can diagnose and treat and wide range of medical conditions, serious and life threatening situations call for emergency care. These can include:
Several kinds of physicians provide primary care. Here's a brief description of how they differ from each other.
Family doctors: These physicians treat patients of all ages. They are trained in adult medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics, geriatric medicine, and musculoskeletal care. In a typical family medical practice, around 10—15% of the patients are children.
Internists: These doctors practice internal medicine and specialize in treating adults. Like family doctors, they treat many acute and chronic conditions. Therefore, they receive training in many different fields, including endocrinology, rheumatology, neurology, orthopedics, geriatrics, and rehabilitation.
Pediatricians: Pediatricians complete special training that focuses on wellness, development, and treatment of the conditions that can affect babies, children, and teenagers up to the age of 21. Many pediatricians are primary care providers for children, but others may specialize further in a particular field such as pediatric neurology or cardiology.
Geriatricians: These physicians specialize in treating older adults. Because of their advanced training, they are especially adept at treating issues like insomnia, dementia, and balance problems. There are only around 7,123 certified geriatricians in the United States, so it may be harder to locate a geriatrician in your area than it is to find an internist or family doctor.
Obstetrician-gynecologists (OB-GYN): These medical doctors specialize in women's health and have training and expertise in reproductive health, pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum conditions. Some OB-GYNs provide many types of general health services, similar to an internist or family doctor, while others only focus on female reproductive health.
Nurse practitioners and physician assistants: In some primary care practices, you may be treated by a nurse practitioner (NP) or physician assistant (PA). These highly trained professionals are increasingly important in primary care. They must earn a master's degree, pass a certification exam, and maintain state licensure to practice. PAs are under the supervision of a physician, and about half of the states in the United States require physician oversight for NPs.
Once you've settled on a short list of possible primary care physicians, contact the office to schedule an appointment.
When you call the office, notice how the staff interacts with you. Since you'll often be communicating with the office staff, it's important to feel comfortable with them, too.
When you meet with the primary care physician, bring a list of questions that are important to you.
Notice whether the doctor is listening to your concerns. It may feel uncomfortable to think of a doctor's appointment as an interview, but it can also be empowering. It may help you to remember that you and your doctor are forming a partnership to take care of your health.
It's okay if it takes more than one interview to find the right doctor for you.
The following includes frequently asked questions about primary care.
What is the difference between a doctor and a primary care physician?
A primary care physician is a type of doctor who can help prevent, diagnose, and treat a wide range of health conditions. They are typically your first stop when you need medical care, such as treatment for an illness, a vaccination, or a routine physical. Other types of doctors may specialize in certain health conditions or body systems.
What is an example of a primary care physician?
Primary care doctors can include pediatricians, family medicine doctors, and internal medicine doctors, among others.
What kind of doctor treats the whole body?
Primary care doctors are doctors who provide comprehensive care for a wide range of health issues affecting the whole body. This can include conducting wellness screenings and diagnosing and treating infections and injuries, and providing other non-emergency medical care. They may also help coordinate care with specialists and manage chronic conditions.
Additionally, some people may also refer to neuropathic doctors as doctors who treat the "whole body." These alternative medicine practitioners typically focus on addressing physical, mental, genetic, environmental, and other factors that can affect your whole body.
Primary care physicians are doctors who work to prevent, diagnose, and treat a wide range of conditions that affect people at varying life stages.
Primary care physicians have the expertise and training to:
Some primary care physicians focus on a particular patient population like children or older adults. Some are family physicians who treat patients of all ages.
If you're looking for a primary care doctor, it's a good idea to find out everything you can about the doctor's practice in advance. Building a relationship with a primary care doctor who's a good fit for you is likely to improve your health outcomes now and in the future.
What Is A Primary Care Physician? - WebMD
Staying healthy is more than just going to the doctor when you're sick. It's about having a health care team that not only addresses your concerns and illnesses but also takes a proactive approach to help you stay healthy.
A primary care physician plays an important part in helping you stay healthy. They're also sometimes called primary care providers, or PCPs. They're often the first contact you or your family members have with the health care system. They offer care for preventing, treating, and curing common illnesses as well as promoting better health.
Research shows that having access to primary care can improve your health and wellness.
Your primary care physician is designed to be your first point of contact when you have a health concern. They can handle many common issues and refer you to a specialist if you need one. (Photo Credit: E+/Getty Images.)
A primary care physician practices general health care, dealing with a wide variety of health concerns for patients. They are typically the first person you talk to if you have a health issue. You might turn to them for:
Some people stay with their primary care doctors for years. Over time, a bond of trust develops, and a relationship forms. This allows the doctor to know them not just as a patient file, but as individuals.
It's this familiarity that provides added insight, allowing the doctor to deliver more personal care.
You may want to find someone who can treat your entire family, children and adults. These kinds of practices are called family medicine, and the providers there are family doctors or family physicians. Family physicians are a subset of primary care providers.
A family physician's practice might include obstetrics — offering care throughout your pregnancy and delivering your baby. A family doctor also might perform minor surgery.
A family doctor is just one type of provider that falls under the PCP umbrella. Other types include:
Pediatricians. This type of provider has special training in treating newborns, babies, children, and teens. They don't treat adults.
Geriatricians. These doctors are trained to handle the complex medical problems that come with aging. Older adults might choose a geriatrician to be their PCP.
Internists. These are doctors who focus on treating adults and handle a variety of medical issues.
Obstetrician/gynecologists. Although they're technically specialists, OB/GYNs often serve as primary care providers for women of child-bearing age and those assigned female at birth. They are trained in all aspects of your reproductive system.
Nurse practitioners and physician assistants. These health care professionals aren't doctors, but they may provide some types of primary care.
The educational path for a primary care physician begins with earning an undergraduate degree in premed or the sciences from an accredited (approved) school. From there, they begin specific medical training, which involves:
Training is complete when they have met all requirements and are residents of the state in which they will practice. At that time, they may take the exam by either the American Board of Family Medicine or the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians to get their certification.
As they near the end of their residency, they will apply for a license in their state. The license allows them to practice as a board-certified family doctor. This involves passing level 3 of the COMLEX-USA or step 3 of the USMLE.
A primary care physician is a health manager. They are in clinics, long-term care facilities, private practices, outpatient hospital settings, inpatient hospital settings, and group practices. They can handle issues such as:
Chronic conditions. A chronic condition is one that lasts three months or longer. Your PCP plays an important role in monitoring and managing ongoing health conditions. Common chronic conditions include:
Common illnesses. Your PCP is the provider you turn to when you need treatment for short-term health conditions. Among the common issues your PCP might handle are:
Preventative care. Avoiding diseases or catching conditions before they become more serious is part of your primary care physician's role. To do that, they might:
Pain management. Many chronic conditions, such as arthritis, cause pain regularly. Your PCP can take a wide-angle look at handling your pain. Your treatment might include medication, but also physical therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and exercise.
Nonemergency conditions. You can turn to your primary care physician to treat conditions such as insect bites, sports injuries, or sprained limbs. You should call 911 or go to the emergency room If you have new and urgent symptoms such as chest pain, trouble breathing, choking, uncontrolled bleeding, loss of consciousness, or numbness in your limbs. Don't wait until your PCP can see you.
Routine examinations and checkups. If you need a yearly physical, or your child needs one to play sports, your PCP can provide that.
Women's health. For women and those assigned female at birth, your PCP can help manage conditions and medications specific to your sex. They include:
Men's health. For men and those assigned male at birth, your PCP can deal with conditions such as:
Mental health issues. A PCP can help you manage conditions such as anxiety or depression. They also can refer you to mental health resources.
The first time you meet with your primary care physician, the focus will be on providing information. They'll need an understanding of you, your medical history, and your health care needs. They will review your medical records and medications, discuss your personal medical history as well as that of your family, and give you a general exam.
Follow-up visits will focus on specific goals such as strategies to improve or manage wellness or to treat an illness.
Before going to any of your appointments, make a list of questions, concerns, and any symptoms you are experiencing. This way you won't forget to tell your doctor something important or forget to ask a question. Preparation is key to a productive doctor visit.
Don't have a primary care physician? Here are some steps to help you find one:
Ask around. Check with family, friends, or neighbors to see if they have a PCP they recommend. You also can ask your pharmacist, dentist, or optometrist for a recommendation. If your previous provider is leaving practice, they may have a suggestion for their replacement.
Try professional associations. Your state medical association might maintain a list of providers in your area. You also could check with state-level organizations for physician assistants and nurse practitioners.
Your insurance. Health insurance providers usually have directories of physicians in their networks. You might receive a pamphlet with this information when you enroll, or it might be available online. You also can call the customer service number for your insurance for help finding a PCP.
Advocacy groups. If you have a specific condition or disability, support groups may maintain lists of recommended primary care physicians.
Here are a few things to consider as you choose a primary care physician:
If you're leaving your current PCP on good terms, you can simply ask them for a referral. If you're moving to a new area, your current physician may have contacts there.
If you're unhappy with your current PCP, consider the reasons for that. What changes would you like to see in your relationship with your new PCP? Use that information to help you choose.
Before you change doctors, take these steps:
Your primary care physician plays a vital role in your health. They provide preventative care and help you manage any ongoing conditions. They also can treat common illnesses and minor injuries, and refer you to a specialist if you need an expert for more focused care. Your PCP might be trained in internal medicine, family medicine, geriatrics, pediatrics, or obstetrics and gynecology. Sometimes, physician assistants and nurse practitioners work as primary care providers.
What are the most common duties of a primary care physician?
Your PCP's role is to help you manage all aspects of your health. In addition to treating you when you're sick, they'll help you stay on top of chronic conditions. They will also suggest steps to preserve your health, such as vaccines and regular tests.
What does a GP doctor mean?
GP stands for "general practice." A GP is a type of primary care physician. General practice is similar to family medicine; both treat people of all ages. However, family medicine physicians go through slightly different training.
How much does a primary care physician make?
A PCP's salary can vary depending on where they practice. Generally, a PCP's salary is $250,000 to $280,000 per year. They also may receive bonuses.
Can a gynecologist be your primary care physician?
Technically, OB/GYN doctors are specialists. However, research has found that many people consider their gynecologist to be their primary care physician and seek routine care there.
Comments
Post a Comment