Top 5 Reasons Why Everyone Needs A Primary Care Doctor
You never know when a medical emergency might strike. Especially considering the past year and a half with the coronavirus pandemic, it's more important than ever to have a primary care doctor. This is a type of doctor who is also simply known as a family physician. They are absolutely essential as you can have many different medical concerns addressed when you go see them. When you don't have an emergency that requires you to rush to the hospital, a primary care doctor or family doctor is a valuable asset.
There are numerous benefits to having a family doctor. These are the top five reasons to have one. If you don't already have a primary care doctor, these reasons should compel you to find one as soon as possible.
They Follow Your Cycle of Life
Family doctors don't just stick to one particular age group of patients like a pediatrician or a doctor who specializes in geriatrics. Instead, they see a wide range of patients of all ages. Patients can range from as young as toddlers to those who are well into their 90s. Additionally, many people who have a family doctor see that doctor for many years of their lifetime. Some doctors have seen the same patients from the time they were children up to their young or middle adulthood. It's not unusual for family doctors to treat patients for several years or even decades.
When you have a family doctor you have trusted for a few years, you are more likely to stick with them throughout the coming years. Just like any other type of relationship, you build a relationship with your family doctor and want to continue it as a result of the trust you have in them.
They Know Your History
Primary care doctors get to know you as a patient. Over time, they really get to know your personal and family history. For instance, if your doctor also saw your mother as a patient or still does, they already know some of your family medical history. If your mother has had certain medical conditions or illnesses, the doctor already knows that you may have a family risk of developing the same condition. They can recommend you to have testing or genetic counseling for a specific condition.
They Can Treat More Than the Bare Minimum
A family doctor performs your annual physical checkup, but they go beyond that. Many doctors may also have a certain specialty that's their focus, such as cardiology. Even beyond one extra specialty, however, many of these doctors can treat and help you manage certain chronic conditions. They may be able to help you manage things like diabetes or GERD. You can even get prenatal care from some family doctors.
Some primary care doctors are also trained in certain minor surgical procedures. It's important to check with your doctor to see what they can do as they can do a lot more than you might think.
They Can Help You Find the Right Specialist
Of course, you cannot simply have a family doctor perform everything. Since there are many different areas of your health, you will probably have to see specialists at various times in your life. As you get older, you're also more likely to need several different specialists in varying areas. Your primary care doctor is a good source for finding you the specialists you need to see. Even if your health insurance plan doesn't warrant having to get a referral, your family doctor can refer you to the best specialists they know in any given area of medicine. You trust them, so they will recommend someone who's just as exceptional. This is also much better than searching for a specialist online.
They Can Improve Your Life and Save Money
Relying on a primary care doctor can benefit you greatly by improving your life. It also helps to benefit the country's healthcare system to see them. According to a study focusing on insurance, when patients primary care doctors, it can help to reduce the total amount of healthcare spending. It can also lower the number of emergency room visits and visits to urgent care facilities.
Seeing a primary care doctor can save you a lot of time and money as well. If you have your own doctor who accepts your insurance, your health and wallet will both benefit in the long run.
These are the greatest benefits associated with having a family doctor. If you don’t already have one, now is the time to choose one.