5 Reasons Why You Should Have a Primary Care Physician

Although it sometimes seems as if most modern physicians specialize in one area or another, the traditional family practitoner is still very much a part of maintaining good health. Following are just five of the many of including a doctor who specializes in general medicine in your health care routine.

They Give Great Preventative Care

The best way to ensure long term good health is preventative care, and that starts with your primary care physician. For instance, if you have a family history of Type II diabetes, you have a significant risk of developing the condition yourself, particularly as you get older. Your primary care doctor can help devise a diet and exercise plan designed to keep diabetes at bay. The same principle applies to other diseases, such as cardiovascular disorders, where genetics may be a factor.

Even if you aren't genetically predisposed to developing specific health conditions, your primary care physician can still serve as an excellent guide to creating a customized health care plan designed to help keep you healthy as you age. They can also perform routine screenings and tests and refer you to a specialist as the situation warrants.

They Spend More One-on-One Time With Patients

Because family physicians treat the whole person rather than just one disease or condition, they generally spend more time with their patients. It is not unusual for a patient to see the same primary care doctor throughout much of his or her life, and this results in a level of comfort and trust that facilitates honest communication between patients and doctors.

For example, many patients find themselves being more forthcoming about symptoms and other private health care concerns with a doctor they know and trust than with a health care professional who is a relative stranger, thus providing the physician with more information with which to diagnose the problem.

They Know Their Patients

A doctor who sees a patient on a regular basis is far more likely to notice changes in the patient's health than one who is unfamiliar with the person. Early diagnoses and treatment is an important aspect of successfully dealing with adverse health conditions, making the primary physician an invaluable piece of the entire health care picture.

A physician who is familiar with the overall health of a patient is also far more likely to make an accurate diagnosis. He or she will also have a comprehensive record of which prescription medications you are currently taking, which will circumvent scenarios involving conflicting medications.

They Can Save You Money

People who see a primary care physician on a regular basis are less likely to require visits to their local emergency rooms and other costly medical procedures. This is particularly true of those whose primary care physicians offer a wide range of services. For instance, your primary physician may be perfectly capable of managing your recovery from surgery, an accidnet, or from a serious illness, resulting in substantial savings on your part. Some primary doctors even provide their regular patients with discounts on office visits.

They May Spot the First Signs of a Serious Disease

Although no one relishes hearing the news that they've developed a serious health condition, everyone can agree that it's better to discover them when they're new rather than after they've had time to do significant damage to your health. A primary care physician with a well-trained eye can often spot the advent of disease even before you start to exhibit major symptoms or feel ill. Early detection plays an important role in staying healthy.

You can find out more here if you have further questions about what primary car physicians could do for you. 

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