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What is primary care?
Physicians in primary care are the first point of contact for virtually any kind of medical assistance. In the United States, PCPs or primary care providers meet a large majority of medical needs — these include general practitioners, family doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Although, female patients may have an OB-GYN as their PCP.
In addition to treating injuries and illnesses, these practitioners:
- help prevent disease
- offer counseling and patient education
- supervise changes in diet or physical exercise
- monitor the health of at-risk patients, e.g., those with a family history of chronic disease
In other words, primary care includes integrated, continual, and accessible care in a family or community context. Primary care physicians also advise patients on a healthy lifestyle. Depending on the patient's condition, they can also provide referrals to specialist care providers (such as oncologists or neurologists) when necessary.
Primary care physicians primarily practice in outpatient settings and provide care daily. As a result, they are sometimes stereotyped as taking care of only minor conditions, such as UTI infections or the common cold. However, this is only sometimes true. Primary care providers also provide long-term care to patients having chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases.
Common chronic illnesses that primary care deals with may include:
- hypertension
- asthma
- depression and anxiety
- angina
- COPD
- arthritis
- thyroid dysfunction
- backache
In addition, due to their sustained partnership with the patient, primary care physicians are closely aware of the patient's medical history and social and familial context. This knowledge is why patients in primary care benefit from tailored interventions, including screenings and vaccinations. For instance, if you are at high risk of diabetes due to family history, your primary care physician may recommend specific dietary and lifestyle changes.
Why is primary care important?
Primary care is the first point for patients in the healthcare system. When facing new symptoms, an ordinary 'undifferentiated' patient consults a primary care provider. The PCP, in turn, provides treatment and advice and helps orient patients to the right specialist as needed. As a result, primary care also helps relieve the burden on other sectors of the healthcare economy.
Primary care also delivers affordable and quality care. Patients benefit from comprehensive care thanks to the sustained, intimate relationship with their providers. Primary care providers can rely on the social context of their patients (such as local epidemiological trends or family history) to recommend interventions.
Moreover, research shows that treatment costs for conditions can be significantly lower in primary care compared to specialist care providers. In addition, primary care investments lead to more significant health outcomes equity. Instead of being restricted to patients of a specific age group or sex, the entire community benefits from primary care.
Primary care doctors near you also provide long-term care and monitoring for patients with chronic conditions, such as diabetes, cancer, or osteoporosis. The PCP can also coordinate consultations with other specialists, ensuring the patient receives integrated care. Primary care doctors also offer vaccination doses and advise on family planning. Scheduled visits to your primary care provider can help you maintain good health and have a well-balanced lifestyle.
Here are three significant advantages of primary care:
- It is a place where you can find everything under one roof. Primary care centers can care for you if you have caught the flu or sprained your ankle at the gym.
- Your primary care physician can direct you in the correct direction if you need specialist care. They can provide referrals and even consult other healthcare providers when necessary.
- Primary care physicians know you best, especially if you visit regularly and openly discuss physical or mental conditions. Due to their long association, primary care providers can create a comfortable patient environment. They also take the time to explain their needs clearly and offer guidance.
How does a primary care doctor help in the diagnosis of depression and anxiety?
Anxiety and depression are widespread psychiatric disorders that often occur together, with the risk of being underestimated and not receiving adequate treatment. These conditions may manifest alongside physical symptoms, leading many individuals to seek help from primary care physicians.
The primary care doctor near you might diagnose depression through:
Physical Examination:
This is usually the first step in which the healthcare professional conducts a physical examination and inquires about your overall health. Because, in some instances, depression may indicate an underlying physical health issue.
Laboratory Tests:
Tests like a complete blood count or blood examinations to check your thyroid's functioning can rule out potential physiological factors.
Psychiatric Evaluation:
A mental health professional assesses your symptoms, thoughts, feelings, and behavior patterns. You should complete a questionnaire to aid in gathering this information.
DSM-5 Criteria:
Refers to the criteria for depression defined by DSM-5 or the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, as per a publication of the American Psychiatric Association.
Education and training for primary care doctors
It takes around 11 years of education and training for aspirants to become primary care doctors. The first step is completing an undergraduate course in science or pre-med, followed by four years of med school. The courses in medical school will include physiology and anatomy. They hone their medical skills and knowledge of pharmacology. During this time, the aspirants will also undergo clinical rotations to learn about the different aspects of medicine. Obstetrics, pediatrics, general surgery, emergency medicine, and inpatient hospital care are some of the rotations.
After graduating from medical school with a degree in osteopathic medicine or medicine, PCPs will pursue a residency that lasts a minimum of three years. They are then eligible to apply for a state license. A primary care doctor can obtain certification from the American Board of Family Medicine. Another option is the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians. Afterward, some may pursue a fellowship lasting between one and three years.
Specialist doctors in primary care
Many primary care physicians are generalists, i.e., physicians with an MD or DO. However, some doctors may undergo additional clinical training, and become specialists, before practicing as PCP.
Primary care providers specialize in three different categories:
- Pediatrics
Pediatricians train to treat infants, children, and adolescents for various diseases and injuries. They also offer vaccinations, screening, physicals, and general preventive medicine. Along with caring for their patients, pediatricians counsel parents about the health and growth of their children.
- Family medicine
While most specialists work with a particular age group or organ system, family doctors provide medical care for the entire family — including everyone from adults to children, irrespective of the condition. Family physicians train for three additional years after graduating from medical school. As a result, they have broad training in internal medicine, pediatrics, preventive medicine, and obstetrics and gynecology. Family doctors treat various diseases and offer preventative services, such as screenings and physicals.
- Internal medicine
Internists are physicians who focus on internal medicine. They usually only see adult patients and offer consultations for common diseases like obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes. The field developed in the late 1800s thanks to advances in understanding how internal organs function. Internists are the best healthcare provider for patients with chronic and complex conditions, such as elderly patients with multimorbidity (say, diabetes and cancer).
Tests commonly ordered by primary care doctors
A primary care doctor occasionally recommends specific tests to monitor your health goals. They might also need the results of these tests for diagnostic purposes. The following are some standard tests prescribed by a primary care physician:
- Lipid panel – This blood test tells your doctor all about the levels of the different types of cholesterol in your body. This information can help your physician understand your risk of stroke and disease. After assessing these results with other factors, such as your overall health and genetic factors, your doctor can recommend periodic screenings for these diseases.
- Vitamin D – Low immunity, muscle aches, weight gain, and fatigue can all occur due to Vitamin D deficiency. The levels of this vitamin in your body can be easily found through a blood test and will help your practitioner take a call on whether you require supplements.
- Metabolic panel – Depending on the information your doctor wants, this could be a basic or comprehensive test. While the former checks your kidneys, level of sugar metabolism, and electrolyte imbalance, the latter will also evaluate liver function.
- Thyroid panel – With a thyroid test, your physician will know if this gland in your body is functioning normally. Thyroid conditions can adversely impact the quality of your sleep and bring about weight fluctuations. Other problems caused by thyroid malfunction include poor digestion, moodiness, and low energy levels.
How to find a primary care physician?
Searching for the right primary care provider can seem like a hassle. But with Zocdoc, you can easily find your neighborhood's best primary care physician.
Enter 'primary care doctor near me,' and we will display the top-rated PCP. You can also include the name of your insurance carrier to find in-network providers. Read through the verified user reviews to learn more about the doctor. After all, a friendly and competent physician can make a difference in your and your family's health.
Each provider on Zocdoc comes with a personalized profile. You can read more about their education, clinical training, and cultural background here. Include a specific procedure or condition in your search for more targeted results. All bookings are safe, simple, and completely free.
Primary care in Boston
According to the digital healthcare company Medbelle, Boston is known for housing the best hospitals in the United States and the second-best in the world. It also has one of the most robust healthcare systems in the country. Many residents have health insurance thanks to the Massachusetts Health Law 2006.
Across the Boston community, primary care providers serve an estimated 97,750 patients. Medical centers like the Boston Medical Center provide primary care, including specialist care such as family medicine, general internal medicine, and pediatrics. According to one estimate, primary care centers cater to around 200,000 adult and pediatric patients in Greater Boston.
Patients can also apply for financial assistance where the particular hospital provides uninsured or underinsured patients and low-income families residing in Massachusetts with financial help. Healthcare centers do not charge patients eligible for financial aid for more than amounts generally billed for emergency and other medical care.
Overall, there are 27,845 physicians with active licenses and business addresses in Massachusetts and 869 primary care physicians in Boston alone.
Sources:
Massachusetts General Hospital
American Academy of Family Physicians
Coalition to Protect America's Health Care
The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.