Why You Actually Need a Primary Care Physician
In honor of National Primary Care week, we’re taking a look at the importance of having a primary care provider that you can trust–and access–as the months turn colder and busier.
Recent studies have shown that many adults are foregoing visits to a primary care physician. This trend is rising especially among millennials as they try to balance careers, families, and the home. In fact, one study showed that up to 33% of millennials don’t have a PCP, citing lack of access, as well as a preference for walk-in appointments, being key reasons they’ve eschewed a primary care doctor.
But primary care providers remain vital to maintaining your health. PCPs do more than just help when sickness occurs; they’re focused on your long-term health journey, so you can get better and stay healthy for years to come. Here are some key reasons to see a PCP and build an ongoing healthcare relationship.
Prevention and Detection
Primary care providers are trained to not only treat symptoms when they occur, but also to identify and treat illnesses or conditions before they become bigger problems. Through regular check-ups, vaccinations, screenings, and just good old fashioned chatting with your doctor, PCPs can identify and prevent health issues that could wind up becoming much more serious in the future.
Vaccines like flu and COVID shots can help ward off illness in high-risk months. And screening for issues like high blood pressure, cancer, and diabetes can potentially identify long-term health issues before they worsen.
Care Continuity
Partnering with a PCP builds a relationship over time which allows your provider to learn about you and your entire health journey. Understanding your lifestyle and family medical history–not to mention having all your medical records in one place–is invaluable for understanding all the conditions and past treatment plans that may be relevant to your current wellbeing. With a primary care team you get personalized and consistent care as your relationship grows over time.
Referrals and Specialty Care
Most urgent care clinics are not able to help you diagnose or treat specialized health concerns. Whether it’s a chronic issue with your eyesight, joint pain, skin abnormalities, physical therapy, or much more, most specialists require a referral from a PCP.
Talking about these health issues with your primary care doctor allows them to make an educated recommendation for specialized and/or long-term treatment, and it ensures that all your doctors are on the same page. This prevents overlapping medications, duplicate tests, and conflicting advice.
Primary Care–Without the Wait
Don’t have a Primary Care provider? Consider scheduling a visit with your local AllCare team. While most primary care offices push your appointment weeks (sometimes months) out, AllCare is built to see you on your schedule. With same-day appointments, online scheduling, and weekend availability, your primary care team is only a click or a phone call away–every day.
The AllCare model of care is built with your convenience in mind to be able to provide top quality care at a moment’s notice. Our offices will also help you avoid the expenses and hassles of urgent care or the ER.
Your provider is best suited to help you when they know your history, your goals, and your lifestyle, because healthcare is more effective when it’s personalized. Schedule your appointment today!