Why Do You Need a Primary Care Provider?

What is a primary care provider (PCP)? It’s the person (besides you) at the center of your health care universe. This is the person who knows you personally, and whose team keeps and coordinates your health care record. They keep track of specialists you’ve seen, refer you to other doctors as needed and – most importantly – they know you well enough to notice when something seems off. 

Common reasons to see your primary care physician are your annual physical plus things like headaches, back pain, urinary or respiratory infections. They can also guide you in managing chronic conditions like anxiety, depression, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity or heart disease. Primary care physicians have expertise in keeping tabs on multiple treatments, medications and how they might interact.

You’ll visit your primary care doctor for most medical needs, including wellness visits and routine preventive screenings, non-emergency illnesses like colds and sore throats. This is the person to whom you can comfortably ask questions about your health or voice concerns.  

"A primary care physician is someone who can help you manage your health and navigate the health care system. Having a PCP you trust is essential for people of all ages," says Nathaniel Yokell, M.D., a physician at INTEGRIS Health Medical Group Yukon.

PCPs are also terrific at managing what types of care you’ll need. Say you’ve been hospitalized for an ailment. With a PCP in your corner, you’ll feel more confident navigating when to go home, or whether to transition first to a rehabilitation facility and then back home. Most people will need to enter the health care system at some point during their lives, especially as they age, so having a PCP team that knows you as an individual and understands your values, goals and preferences will make getting the care you need easier.

There’s more than one type of primary care doctor – in fact there are at least six:

Pediatricians are primary care providers for children, from birth to their teen years.

Geriatricians focus on caring for older people – usually 65 years and up. Geriatricians are especially skilled at managing multiple conditions, and the medications that a person may need to manage them.

Gynecologists and obstetricians are your primary caregivers for pregnancy and women’s health.

Internists (AKA internal medicine doctors) see only adults.

Family practitioners, also called family doctors, treat patients of any age. They can care for everyone in your family.

Physician assistants and nurse practitioners can also provide primary care, but they do so as part of a team, under the direction of a primary care physician. The physician is responsible for overseeing your care.

There are lots of great reasons you should have a primary care physician. Here are eight worth thinking about:

You’ll be healthier. It’s simple – it’s easier to stay healthy with regular help from experts who know you. A study in JAMA Internal Medicine looked at the value of primary care, analyzing results from more than 49,000 adults in the United States with primary care physicians and more than 21,000 without. Turns out the folks with primary care physicians took better care of themselves; they were significantly more likely to do things like fill prescriptions, have routine preventive care and screenings like those for cancers.  

Better management of chronic illnesses. The leading cause of death and disability in the United States is chronic illness, the most common of which are heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) tells us that 60 percent of Americans have a chronic disease and 40 percent have more than one. Keeping in regular contact with your PCP can help you manage chronic conditions effectively and live a longer, healthier life.   

You’ll have a medical home. A medical home means your PCP team is able to keep your health care plans on track. They’ll help keep an eye on your health throughout the years with annual physicals, diagnostic and preventive tests and prescriptions. You’ll have someone you trust already in place should you face an acute or chronic illness.   

Lower health care costs. Because you’re seeing your PCP regularly, you’re more likely to catch illnesses or conditions early. Regular screenings help detect cancers as early as possible, making them more treatable. Colds are less likely to turn into bronchitis if you feel comfortable calling your doctor to ask questions. 

Fewer emergency room or hospital visits. People who don’t have primary care doctors are more inclined to wait a bit too long to see a doctor. Those with primary care doctors have someone to call when symptoms begin; those without often feel the emergency room is the only or best option for care.

Your health history all in one place. Screenings, lab tests, vaccinations, illnesses and the seemingly banal details of your health (weight fluctuations, how many sinus infections you had last year) will all be kept track of by the team at your PCP’s office. This makes seeing a specialist easier, for the doctor and for you.

Annual well-checks. They’re important! Your annual physical can seem like a hassle but you don’t want to skip it. Your annual visit gives your doctor a chance to get to know you and vice versa. You’ll establish your health baseline. When your physician and you are in sync, he or she will notice more quickly when you’re not quite yourself. Illnesses and other issues are more likely to be caught sooner. At your first well-check, expect to do a lot of talking. Your PCP will want to know your current health status, medical history, family health history and medications. It’s a good idea to come with a list of your own questions as well.

A place to start. Whether you’re feeling anxious or depressed, or you’ve got allergies, a roaring sinus headache, a rash or back pain, your PCP is where you’ll start. In the case of back pain, for example, you’ll be able to explore prevention tactics with your PCP, and if those don’t remedy the situation, you’ll receive a referral to a physical therapist or another doctor who specializes in back pain. In the case of allergies, maybe you are not able to manage symptoms with over-the-counter medicines anymore. A call to your PCP can discuss next steps with you and also determine whether a virus or something else might be part of the issue.

If you need a primary care provider, INTEGRIS Health is here to help. Visit our website to find the best fit for you and your family. For more health and wellness content, visit the INTEGRIS Health For You blog.