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Understanding the role of a family physician

A family physician or doctor treats the whole family as a primary care medical professional. Many doctors focus on a single medicine field. Family physicians, on the other hand, have extensive training in all areas of medicine. They treat you regardless of your age or gender throughout your life. They attend to your physical, mental, and emotional needs. Family physicians get to know their patients and develop a friendly rapport with their entire family. They listen to and record their medical history to understand better how to help them make health-related decisions.

Your family physician is responsible for diagnosing and treating acute and chronic illnesses. They also provide regular health screenings and lifestyle advice. Your family physician may also refer you to a specialist if your condition needs assistance.

Reasons to see a family physician near you

Everyone should have a family physician, even if they do not have a health problem. Avoiding or preventing a health problem rather than treating or managing one is always better. Your family physician can help you keep your family healthy. They can assist you with the following:

• Chronic disease management: Family physicians can manage and treat various chronic diseases and conditions, including arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), heart disease, kidney disease, high cholesterol, skin problems, and breathing problems caused by asthma and COPD. In collaboration with specialists, they can also prescribe medication refills for chronic conditions.
• Referral to specialists: If you have a condition that necessitates the services of a specialist, your family physician can refer you to qualified specialists. When you start treatment with a specialist, the doctors can work together to plan your prescriptions and monitor your progress.
• Medical care for injuries or illnesses: A family physician can treat the condition without referring you to a specialist if you or a family member is ill or injured. They are experts in simple sprains and fractures, pneumonia, flu and cold symptoms, bronchitis, infections, seasonal allergies, and other illnesses.
• Performing routine examinations: Family doctors perform the standard examinations, which include annual physicals, newborn and well-child checkups, sports physicals, men's health screenings, prostate exams, and female pelvic exams.

What can you expect from a visit to the family physician?

You can expect a variety of things depending on the reason for visiting. Your family physician may perform the following procedures:

• Vital signs examination (blood pressure, body temperature, heartbeat, and breathing rate)
• Routine blood tests to check for issues such as excessive cholesterol or diabetes
• Abdominal examination
• Immunizations
• A head and neck examination
• Skin examination
• Men's health tests such as prostate exams, aortic aneurysm screenings, and colon exam referrals
• Women's health tests such as pap smears, osteoporosis screening, mammography referrals, and sexual health screening
• Screenings for infants and children for growth and development

Your doctor may also discuss your diet, lifestyle habits, medications, mental health, and other concerns.

How do you choose a family physician?

Family medicine is difficult to understand because it deals with various medical issues. Your family doctor must be capable of diagnosing a wide range of symptoms. Here are some pointers for selecting a family physician near you:

• Look for in-network doctors: Most health insurance companies in your area have negotiated reduced rates with specific hospitals and physicians. If you visit in-network family doctors, you will pay less out of pocket and avoid unexpected co-pays and fees.
• Check to see if they provide specialized care: When choosing a doctor, it is critical to consider your family's specific needs. If a family member requires specialized care, ensure the family practice you choose has someone who can provide it.
• Consider the distance from your home: Many overlook distance as a logistical factor, but it is critical. Having your family physician close by is better, especially during emergencies.

What is the difference between a primary care physician, a family doctor, and an internist?

With different types of medical practitioners, it may take time to decide which one to see. When you are sick, with a cold or something more serious, your first point of contact would be a primary care physician (PCP). A PCP refers to any of the following types of doctors:

• family medicine practitioner
• nurse practitioner
• physician assistant
• internist
• pediatrician
• geriatrician

A PCP is qualified to treat people of all ages for various medical concerns, including prevention and maintenance. However, they will refer you to a specialist if your condition is beyond their scope. A PCP may also coordinate with other specialists to treat chronic health conditions.

A family physician can care for every family member at all stages of life. They are trained to provide care from infancy to old age and can treat problems ranging from bronchitis to high blood pressure. If your family doctor is treating other family members, they can keep a check on risk factors for genetic health problems like obesity and heart disease. They will also refer you to a specialist if your condition is beyond their scope. A doctor being aware of your personal and family medical history can be exceptionally comforting for many people. 

Family medicine doctors study at accredited schools of medicine or osteopathic medicine. They should complete four years of medical school, followed by a three or four-year residency. Family physicians are certified by the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) and the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians (AOBFP). They also require a license to practice in the state where they want to work.

Unlike a family physician who treats people of all ages, an internist only treats older adolescents and adults. An internist treats various medical issues like a family doctor and would refer you to a specialist for complicated conditions. Internists must also complete four years of medical school and three years of residency, including specialties in adult medicine like cardiology and endocrinology. Internists treat conditions developed throughout adult life. They treat minor issues like sinus or broken wrists and can also treat and supervise more severe conditions like heart disease and diabetes. 

Eight effective strategies to cope with doctor anxiety

Do you dread annual appointments, immunizations, and health screenings so much that you reschedule them every time? Do you experience dizziness, excessive sweating, shivers, and rapid heartbeat at the thought or sight of a doctor? Have you previously delayed necessary treatments? You are likely suffering from iatrophobia, meaning fear of doctors. From negative medical experiences in the past to having multiple chronic conditions with painful treatments, there could be many reasons for your anxiety. 

The good news is that you do not have to live with it lifelong and put your health at stake. You can use various strategies to deal with it better and guarantee a hassle-free experience every time. Here are eight helpful tips to get you started: 

• Make sure to choose a family physician with a good understanding of iatrophobia and experience dealing with patients who struggle with it.  
• Schedule the appointments on a day and time when you are not stressed about professional deadlines and personal responsibilities. 
• Opt for telemedicine, including video visits, phone calls, and text messages, whenever possible. 
• Prepare for the appointment well in advance. Write down your symptoms, concerns, and queries, gather your medical records, prepare a list of your medications, and know your family history. In addition, call the doctor's office to know what to expect during your visit so that there are no surprises. 
• Ask a loved one, such as a family member or friend, to accompany you during the appointment for emotional support. 
• Practice relaxation techniques like meditation, deep breathing, guided imagery, and progressive muscle relaxation.
• To distract yourself while you are in the waiting room, try reading a book, listening to music, or watching funny videos.
• Discuss your medical appointment anxiety with a mental health professional. 

How do you find the best family physician near you in Sarasota, Florida?

Since a family physician looks after the health of everyone in your family, it's essential to choose a doctor who can recognize everyone's needs and cater to their care accordingly.

If you're looking for a family medicine physician in Sarasota, Florida, Zocdoc makes it simple. 

You can find a list of Sarasota's best family physicians on our convenient and user-friendly website. In-network doctors who accept your insurance plan can also help you save money on consultations and clinical procedures (if you avail of any). 

Stay calm if you can’t find your insurance plan on the website—we have a viable solution for it. You can go to your account profile and upload an image of your insurance card. We will scan it and suggest your plan. Do you have any more related queries? Our patient help center page will probably have the required answers, so please check it out!

You can also learn more about these doctors by reading their profiles. Their profile will include pertinent information such as education and training, board certifications, clinical interests, etc. 

To make a better decision, you can also read the verified reviews of their prior patients.

After choosing a family physician near you, you can immediately schedule an in-person or online consultation from the comfort of your home. All Zocdoc bookings are simple, secure, and free!

Family physician statistics in Florida

Some people choose to have a family physician as their primary care provider. According to data from the United Health Foundation, about 262.9 primary care providers exist per 100,000 people in Florida. The number includes family physicians, general practitioners, obstetricians and gynecologists, pediatricians, geriatricians, internal medicine doctors, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners. Regarding primary care providers, Florida ranks 20th among all U.S. states. 

The data highlights a considerable scope for improvement in primary care provision in the state.

Family physicians treat chronic illnesses, usually in collaboration with other subspecialists. They provide ongoing, personalized care for severe health issues like heart disease, stroke, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, and asthma. According to data published by the United Health Foundation, as of 2022, about 12.2% of individuals in Florida reported having diabetes. Another report on the same website mentions that about 9.3% of people in Florida reported suffering from asthma as of 2022. Moreover, as of 2022, about 9.9% of people in the state had angina or coronary heart disease, a stroke, a heart attack, or myocardial infarction.

In some cases, such conditions are life-threatening. Having a family doctor can help you protect your health and obtain the required treatment and care as and when necessary.

Sources

WebMD

Familydoctor.org

United Health Foundation[1]

United Health Foundation[2]

United Health Foundation[3]

United Health Foundation[4]

Cleveland Clinic[1]

Cleveland Clinic[2]

Healthline

Medical News Today

GoodRx

Optum

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.