5 Benefits of Having a Primary Care Physician
Primary care physicians play an important role in the health of a patient, much like a teacher who serves as a pillar for his or her students in school.
Primary care physicians are specialists in family medicine, pediatrics or internal medicine who are the first contact for patients. People who live in states with more primary care doctors have a better health outcome, such as fewer deaths due to cancer, heart disease or stroke.
"Using primary care physicians has been associated with longer life," said Melissa Franco D.O, a family physician at Preventive medical care Columbia Maryland. It's been proven that communities with a greater number of primary care doctors have fewer premature death.
Benefits of a primary physician include:
- Continuity of Care. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, when a doctor serves as a primary physician, they are "responsible" for providing comprehensive care to a patient. The patient benefits from routine check-ups with the doctor. The primary care physician builds a picture of a patient's overall health over time. This helps the doctor diagnose illness more accurately. Primary care physicians also work with other doctors to track any special care that a patient may receive.
- Management of medication. Around 35 percent Americans take at least one prescription drug. Consumer Reports research shows that those who take prescription medications, on average, take four. There is always the risk of side effects because different drugs are prescribed by different doctors. Primary care physicians can act as gatekeepers by keeping track all the medications that a patient is taking and noting any changes to dosage or frequency which could have negative side effects. In today's physician offices, many electronic medical records flag contraindications to medications. This prompts the doctor and patient to discuss any possible side effects. The primary care doctor can recommend medication changes or consult the prescribing physicians to better manage a patient's medications regimen.
- Savings of time. If a patient already has a relationship with their primary care physician, they can address issues that arise between annual check-ups. It depends on what type of symptoms a patient has and how serious they are. But I've managed many patients' conditions over the phone, says Dr. Franco. The more I know about a patient's past, the better I am able to decide the best treatment. "The patient is grateful for the time saved."
- Prevention. A doctor's knowledge of your health will help them identify problems before they occur. Your overall health profile allows your primary care doctor to recommend tests which can help determine your risk for certain diseases such as Diabetes, Heart Disease and Cancer. Your primary care physician can help you make lifestyle changes to lower your risk of becoming sick and reduce that risk.
5. Behavioral Health. Comprehensive primary care includes monitoring the patient's mental health. The current recommendation is that adults and children over 12 years old be screened for depression during primary care visits. At Primary doctor Columbia Maryland, patients are asked whether they feel anxious or depressed each time they visit their primary care physician.
Dr. Franco states that "one in four adults suffers from depression, and many don't know they need treatment." Primary care physicians ask patients about their mental well-being as part of a collaborative care model. We work with psychiatrists and psychologists to ensure that patients receive the behavioral health care they require.
Dr. Franco and his medical assistants use a questionnaire to determine the severity of depression or anxiety in a patient. If the patient's score is high, they may be referred by a social worker to make an appointment with behavioral health practitioners.
During treatment, psychologists, psychiatrists or any other professionals in behavioral health who treat the patient can communicate with their primary care physician or assigned social worker. The treatment may include medication to treat depression, anxiety, or other conditions and behavioral health counseling. The social worker assigned the patient will contact him or her frequently to check on how they are feeling and to help them connect with any services that they may need.