Choosing a Primary Care Provider
Think of a primary care provider (PCP) as your personal healthcare quarterback! They direct your overall care by helping you manage and maintain your health. They call the plays for your treatment, connect with you with medical specialists when needed and know your health history better than any other provider.
A visit to your PCP is usually the first step for common and chronic conditions. If needed, they can make referrals to specialists.
The types of doctors that serve as primary care practitioners are:
- Family practice doctors are similar to traditional doctors for the entire family. They are qualified to deal with all ages and genders and are trained in a variety of medical subjects.
- Internal medicine doctors generally treat adults and they provide care from general health to complex illnesses. Some internists specialize in a particular organ, disease, or age group.
- Internal medicine/pediatrics physicians are trained in internal medicine and pediatrics and can care for the newborn to the geriatric patient.
- Pediatricians are trained in the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents up to age 18.
- Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN) practitioners specialize in the female reproductive organs and can often serve as primary care doctors for women.
Advanced Practice Providers
- Physician assistants, or PAs, are graduates of an accredited PA educational program. They are nationally certified and state-licensed to practice medicine with the supervision of a physician. PAs are educated on the medical model with an emphasis on primary care. All PAs rotate through the major specialties and complete a vast number of clinical rotations while in training. PAs are licensed to practice in all areas of medicine and even in surgery.
- Advanced practice registered nurses, or APRNs, are registered nurses with additional advanced clinical education and specialty expertise. APRNs complete a master’s or doctoral degree program with expansive clinical hour rotations and are board-certified. Nurse practitioners may be certified in a broad variety of primary care specialties, including family practice, acute care (adult and/or pediatric), women’s health, neonatal, pediatrics, gerontology, and psychiatry. APRNs can prescribe medications and order tests for all procedures. A doctor supervises all APRNs.
Benefits of having an Established Primary Care Doctor
Your health insurance plan may not require you to select a primary care provider (PCP), but there are PLENTY of good reasons to choose one!
- Your Medical history. Hospitals keep medical records, so if you often go to doctors within the same network, there’s probably a file of your medical history in their system. But having one health practitioner who knows your medical history, and knows you personally might help when it comes to keeping you healthy and finding the source of any health problems you might be experiencing.
- Your Health plan. Similarly, having a doctor you’re familiar with can help making a health plan easier on both you and your medical practitioner. If you want to create a long term plan for maintaining a healthier lifestyle, having consistency and familiarity with your provider might be a good idea.
- Your Annual Check-up. Some health insurance plans come with an annual check-up that doesn’t require a copayment from you. But even if your plan does require a copayment, going to the doctor to check in on your health isn’t a bad idea. They can check back in with you about any problems you discussed with them previously. Going to a primary care doctor might also help you feel more comfortable to ask questions and share any concerns that you wouldn’t be as comfortable to bring up in front of a doctor you’ve never met before.
