What is primary care? Who is a primary care doctor?
Primary care is a form of continuous healthcare that individuals take throughout their lifespan, occasionally as needed. This type of care is widely accessible, acts as the first point of contact between the patient and the healthcare system, and is comprehensive and coordinative. It is a preventative measure that assists in treating common illnesses and surgeries.Â
This type of care is provided by primary care doctors, who manage chronic diseases and assist, recommend, or follow up with the relevant specialist. They are a continuous part of their patient's healthcare and well-being. In most cases, primary care doctors help maintain a patient's long-term health, explaining their involvement whenever an issue arises.Â
Primary care doctors:
- Provide care to patients of all ages
- Diagnose and treat a variety of diseases, illnesses, disorders, or conditions before they become severe
- Coordinate all aspects of a patient's healthcare
- Choose to be specialists like pediatricians or internists. Â
Education & training of primary care physicians in the USA
Primary care physicians begin their education with an undergraduate degree in pre-med or the sciences from an accredited (approved) university. Then, they pursue medical training, including:
- Receiving an osteopathic or medical degree from an accredited school.
- Clearing board exams for the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMPLEX-USA) levels. Â
- Completing core clerkships or clinical instruction.
- Completing a residency program that includes pediatrics, emergency medicine, obstetrics, general surgery, and inpatient hospital care rotations.
What can a primary care doctor treat?
Due to the broad spectrum of conditions that primary care doctors are adept at, it can be unclear whether a visit is relevant in your case. Here are the most commonly diagnosed and treated conditions by primary care doctors:
- Type 2 diabetes
- General adult medical examinationÂ
- Immunization
- Exposure to viruses like COVID-19
- Hypertension and other issues with blood pressure imbalance
- HyperthyroidismÂ
Amongst all these conditions, more serious ones like heart diseases and chronic conditions were also diagnosed.
Primary care doctors use several testing and treatment methods to reach an accurate diagnosis and cure. Some of these include:
- DialysisÂ
- Therapeutic exercises
- Hemoglobin test
- Comprehensive metabolic panel
- Lipid panel
Which primary care doctor is the best for your needs?
When selecting the ideal primary care doctor near you, it's crucial to consider your specific healthcare requirements. There are five primary care physician categories to choose from, each with its own focus and expertise:
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- Internal medicine doctors (internists): Internal medicine doctors, or internists, exclusively care for adults. They possess a deep understanding of common and complex adult health conditions, making them well-suited for providing preventive and specialized care to adults, including managing issues like high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.
- Pediatricians: Pediatricians specialize in children's healthcare, from infancy through early adulthood. They are experts in treating childhood ailments and injuries and ensuring children meet crucial developmental milestones. Their focus is solely on children's health, making them an excellent choice for parents seeking dedicated care for their kids.
- Family medicine doctors: Family medicine doctors provide a unique advantage by caring for the entire family, from infants to grandparents. They offer personalized, all-encompassing healthcare, and their broad patient base equips them with experience in effectively communicating with patients of all ages.
- Internal medicine-pediatrics doctors (med-peds): Med-peds doctors are dual board-certified in internal medicine and pediatrics. They offer holistic care to adults and children, making them the best option for families seeking a single primary care provider. Their expertise allows them to address various medical conditions within the family.
- OB-GYNs (obstetrics and gynecology): OB-GYNs specialize in women's health, particularly reproductive health. They offer routine women's health services, including Pap tests, pelvic exams, and family planning. While some women choose an OB-GYN as their primary care provider, it's advisable to complement their care with a general primary care doctor to address overall health concerns.
How should you prepare for your first visit to a primary care doctor?
No matter the reason, you should prepare for your first visit to a primary care doctor by following these tips.
- To ensure you remember everything during your appointment, write down your health concerns.
- Gather your medical records, including any test results and imaging studies you have performed.
- Lastly, ensure you know your insurance information and coverage for tests and office visits.
Appropriate information will help your doctor better understand your overall health. A primary doctor will provide the best care if you have accurate and relevant medical information on your first visit.
Things to expect at your first primary care visit
As a first step, you will be asked to complete paperwork to help your doctor better understand your health. This questionnaire will include your medical history, family history, and current medications.
Once this step is completed, you will be sent to the exam room for a meeting with the doctor. They will ask you about your symptoms and more. Be sure to mention anything that has been bothering you.
The doctor will mostly conduct a physical exam after the conversation. This exam may include checking your blood pressure, heart rate, and weight.
Depending on the reason for the visit, a doctor may order some tests, such as blood work, X-rays, or other diagnostic tests. After completing the tests, the doctor will discuss the results with you and decide how to proceed.
How often should you get your health checked?
Keep regular checkups and screenings with your primary care doctor, even if you feel fine. Depending on your age, gender, family history, and other factors, your doctor may recommend the visit frequency. However, you might need more frequent visits if you are:
- Pregnant
- Have a condition ranging from mild to severe, like heart disease or diabetes
- Of old age
- Have conditions from birthÂ
Consistent primary care visits enable you to stay on top of routine examinations, screenings, and vaccinations. Not only does this promote overall well-being, but most health insurance plans, even those with high deductibles, often cover preventive care. By having a trusted primary care doctor, you can maintain your health, seek assistance when needed, and receive guidance on various medical concerns.Â
How to find the best primary care doctor near you in Bellerose, New York?
The search for the right primary care doctor can be exhausting, but do not fret! Zocdoc can help you find the best primary care doctor in Bellerose, New York. First, download the app or log into the Zocdoc website to start. Next, update your medical condition, procedure, specialty, city, state, zip code, date, and insurance carrier.
After updating these details, Zocdoc will present you with a list of practitioners. Each doctor's profile expands to reveal more information with a comprehensive bio. You can view their education, accreditation, certifications, experience, practice type, location, affiliations, and details like spoken languages. Once you select your preferred primary care doctor near you, visit the appointment page for an in-person or video consultation.Â
All your medical appointments and bookings are hassle-free. Bookings on Zocdoc are simple, secure, and 100% free!
Statistics about the primary care doctors in New York
According to the 2022 data published by America's Health Rankings, active primary care providers per 100,000 population (including general practice, family practice, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, geriatrics, internal medicine, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners) in New York were around 313.2.
The number of active primary care providers in New York has witnessed a gradual and consistent increase, most likely due to COVID-19, amongst other variables. Primary care providers per 100,000 population increased from around 252.5 in 2018 to approximately 313.2 in 2020. The number of active primary care providers in New York crossed the national average of about 265.3 in 2022.Â
Sources
World Health OrganizationÂ
WebMD
Definitive Healthcare Â
Cleveland Clinic[1]
Cleveland Clinic[2]
Healthline
National Institute on Aging
America's Health Rankings
HealthPartners
