What is the role of a primary care doctor? What does a primary care doctor do?
A primary care doctor, often called a PCP (primary care physician), is a healthcare professional overseeing your well-being. They serve as your initial point of contact for non-emergency medical concerns. While PCPs are typically physicians, some primary care services are also provided by nurses and physician assistants.
Many individuals maintain a long-term relationship with their primary care doctors, fostering a bond of trust and continuity. This connection sometimes extends across generations, with entire families relying on the same doctor. This familiarity gives the doctor an understanding of patients as individuals beyond mere medical records.
This familiarity also enables the doctor to offer more personalized care, leveraging their deep insight into the patient's medical history and preferences.
Education and training
Becoming a primary care doctor starts with obtaining an undergraduate degree in pre-med or the sciences from an accredited institution. Subsequently, individuals initiate specialized medical training, which encompasses the following steps:
- Graduating from an accredited medical school with a doctorate in medicine or osteopathic medicine.
- Successfully passing board exams for either:
- Steps 1 and 2 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), or
- Levels 1 and 2 of the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination of the United States (COMPLEX-USA).
3. Undertaking clinical instruction or core clerkships.
4. Completing a residency program with mandatory rotations in pediatrics, emergency medicine, obstetrics, general surgery, and inpatient hospital care.
What are the various types of primary care physicians?
PCPs fall into several types, including:
- Geriatricians (those who care for older people)
- Family doctors (who serve patients of all ages)
- Pediatricians (those who treat children)
- Obstetricians (those who deal with pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum care)
- Internists (doctors who specialize in internal systems of the body)
- Gynecologists (women's reproductive health specialists)
What conditions does a doctor in primary care address?
A doctor in primary care functions as a healthcare overseer. They work in various settings such as clinics, long-term care facilities, private practices, outpatient hospitals, inpatient hospitals, and group practices.
Consult the best primary care physician near you if you're experiencing the flu, need immunizations, aim to quit smoking, or seek weight loss assistance. They possess the expertise to handle all facets of healthcare, but if your condition necessitates more specialized attention, they might refer you to a specialist.
They aid in managing your well-being by conducting regular check-ups, administering vaccinations, offering preventive care, and conducting wellness screenings. Additionally, they diagnose common ailments and chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, assisting you in effectively managing these conditions.
What to anticipate during a meeting with your primary care doctor?
During your initial interaction with your primary care doctor, the emphasis will be on sharing information that allows them to understand you better, including your medical history and health-related requirements. They will assess your medical records and medications, discuss your medical background and family, and conduct a comprehensive examination.
Subsequent appointments will revolve around distinct healthcare objectives, such as developing strategies to enhance wellness, manage well-being, or address ailments.
Before attending your scheduled appointments, compile a record of inquiries, worries, and any symptoms you might be undergoing. This approach ensures you don't forget to convey vital information to your doctor or miss out on any queries.
Locate the best primary care physician near you
Consulting a primary care doctor can offer advantages if you're dealing with a minor injury or a chronic condition. They can assist in addressing the issue through early diagnosis, prompt treatments, and necessary referrals. If you're searching for a primary care physician, Zocdoc is here to help.
Zocdoc maintains an extensive database of licensed and registered primary care doctors in Columbus. Input your location, ailment, gender preference, or the doctor's specialization into the search filter. Based on your criteria, Zocdoc will generate a list of the best primary care physicians near you, complete with their doctor profiles.
These profiles encompass essential details about the doctors, such as their educational background, board certification, years of experience, areas of expertise, licenses, and languages spoken. Additionally, authenticated patient ratings and reviews contribute to making an informed decision.
Moreover, users can identify primary care providers within their insurance network by inputting their insurance plan information into the search field. Once a doctor aligns with all the specified parameters, users can easily schedule in-person or virtual appointments according to the doctor's availability.
All bookings made on Zocdoc are simple, free, and secure!
Statistics on primary care doctors in Ohio, US
The Robert Graham Center's 2018 report titled "The Status of the Doctor Workforce in Primary Care: Ohio" indicated that Ohio had nearly 7,821 doctors providing direct patient care in 2018, of which about 3,214 were family physicians. This means that family physicians made up 41% of the primary care workforce in the state, as opposed to 44% in the East North Central Census Division and 38% across the entire country. In terms of population, there were approximately 67 doctors per 100,000 individuals in Ohio, whereas the East North Central region and the US had 76 doctors per 100,000 people each. Within Ohio's community of family medicine practitioners, 44% were female, a percentage slightly below the national mean of 45%. This reflects a national pattern -- younger family physicians were more likely to be female than their older counterparts. Around 43% of family physicians in Ohio were aged 55 or older, slightly below the nationwide figure of 44%.
Sources
WebMD
Cleveland Clinic
Robert Graham Center
