How recently have you visited or even had a primary care physician? According to research, fewer Americans are seeing one on a regular basis. However, experts assert that seeing a primary care physician offers significant health advantages.
A primary care physician often offers the first point of access into the healthcare system and is specialized in a field like family or internal medicine. It’s crucial to have a trusted medical expert on your side who can diagnose and handle a wide range of ailments.
Here are some of the main reasons why visiting your primary care physician frequently can benefit your health:
1. More effective help when your sick
Your primary care physician will be familiar with at least some of your medical history after only one visit, as well as potential baseline findings from many widely used screening tests. Your doctor will be aware of what defines “normal” for you, so they can better handle your acute and chronic medical problems.
2. More effective medication management
People who need prescription medications frequently take several different ones, often prescribed by various doctors. Many people also consume vitamins and supplements. Your primary care physician can keep track of all your drugs and monitor them to prevent drug interactions. Additionally, to assist you in fine-tuning your regimen, your primary care physician can keep track of any dose adjustments that can have unintended side effects and consult with your other physicians.
3. Advice on preventing serious diseases
Even when you feel well, visiting your primary care doctor on a regular basis might help you avoid later developing a serious illness. Your physician will be able to prescribe tests based on your health profile that can determine your risk of acquiring cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and other major yet prevalent conditions. Your primary care doctor can advise healthy lifestyle adjustments and routine screenings to lower your risks if your medical history and testing reveal that you’re predisposed to certain illnesses.
4. Readily available remote consults
Thanks to the baseline health information gathered by your primary care physician, your doctor may feel comfortable discussing some issues over the phone with the understanding that you may always arrange a follow-up if your symptoms do not resolve. If you don’t have a primary care physician, you’ll probably need to take make some time during the day to see one.
5. Better access to other specialists
Your primary care physician can assist you in finding the ideal specialist when you want their services. This specialist should not only have the required credentials but also fit well with your personality and preferences for treatment. For example, you can tell your primary care doctor that you favor aggressive therapies so they can suggest specialists who share your viewpoint.
6. Effective help in case of an emergency
Are you unsure whether you need to go to the emergency room? If you have a positive relationship with your primary care doctor, you can get in contact with the office and ask your doctor for advice without having to make a trip. If you do require emergency treatment, your doctor might be able to contact you ahead of time and offer vital medical information that, if necessary, might reduce your wait time.
7. Better care overall
People who have the best primary care doctors typically get a lot more high-quality medical treatment, such as flu vaccines and cancer screenings. They frequently have easier access to healthcare overall and superior patient experiences.
8. A longer and healthier life
According to research, individuals who reside in areas with easy access to primary care physicians live longer on average. However, using their services requires that you actually visit your primary care physician.
