When you are going through a time in your life when your health is suffering, you need stable and dependable health care. While emergency rooms can provide you with the care you need in the quickest way, continuous care can become a problem if you don’t have permanent or long-term medical contacts. This is the main service that a primary care physician (PCP) can provide you with. If you find the right PCP, he or she will be responsible for your overall health and will probably be the first medical professional you see when you have a health issue or are in need of medical advice.
Who Can Become a Primary Care Doctor?
Medical professionals who are regarded as primary care doctors need to have extensive knowledge in their field of medicine. Their titles as medical professionals might differ, however. They might be family practitioners, pediatricians, geriatricians, internal medicine doctors, gynecologists or obstetricians. PCPs might be physicians, physician assistants or nurse practitioners, for that matter. The point is that they are qualified to see to their respective patients’ needs.
These physicians have seen their patients on a regular basis, are aware of their medical histories and are qualified to direct the course of their care, even if this means providing them with referrals to specialists. Primary care itself falls under various categories.
The healthcare settings for treatment might also vary. Continuity of care is the most important benefit that you will get from having the right primary care physician.
Treatment Management
A primary care doctor who is aware of the state of your health should be the one you trust the most to write you a prescription. When different medications are prescribed by different doctors, there is a higher chance of side effects when these drugs interact with one another. This is one of the reasons it’s so important to tell your new primary care physician every medication you are currently taking that was prescribed by a former PCP, emergency room physician or other medical professional.
A primary care physician that knows your health history is more capable of noticing any symptoms you might have that indicate a new health problem or illness. What can seem like an insignificant thing to an unfamiliar health professional might be a strong warning sign to your PCP. When your doctor notices these things, he or she can recommend tests that can help determine if you have this condition or not. If the results are positive, treatment can begin earlier than it would otherwise.
Take better control of your health and let our team at Centro Medico Latino help you with your specialized health needs. We have offices located in Charlotte and Monroe. Contact us today to book an appointment and get started.
