The importance of primary care

When it comes to your overall health, your primary care provider (PCP) is at the top of the list.

PCPs are often considered to be the gatekeepers of good health. They are the main contact for non-emergency health concerns and are often responsible for a patient’s care over a long period of time. They provide preventive care, teach healthy lifestyle choices, identify and treat common medical conditions, and make referrals to medical specialists, when needed.

A PCP can be a doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. Each may specialize in a different area of medicine. These specialties include the following:

Internal Medicine

Also called internists or general internists, internal medicine physicians treat adults only. They specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating a wide variety of diseases and other health issues.

Family Medicine

Like internal medicine physicians, these practitioners treat a full range of medical issues with a focus on health and wellness services. They provide general healthcare for the entire family, from children to adults.

Some providers may specialize in other primary care disciplines to fulfill the general medical needs of specific patient populations. These can include pediatrics, geriatric medicine, and obstetrics/gynecology.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reiterates the importance of primary care providers:

• They help keep patients healthier, longer
• They have long-term relationships with patients and their caregivers, making them more alert to changes in a patient’s health
• They serve as an “entry point” to the healthcare system
• They can help patients navigate the healthcare system by coordinating with other specialists, making referrals, and staying abreast of chronic diseases
• They perform annual wellness visits and other health screenings that can help uncover conditions, such as prediabetes
• They are trained to monitor and treat a wide range of common health issues, such as diabetes and high blood pressure

Americans who have a primary care provider receive significantly more high-value healthcare, such as recommended cancer screenings and flu shots, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Those patients also reported a better experience and overall healthcare access compared to those who do not have a primary care provider.

Horizon Health offers a variety of primary care services. If you or someone you know needs a primary care provider, call 217-466-4651 or visit MyHorizonHealth.org/PCP.