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Who is a primary care doctor?

A primary care doctor or PCP (primary care physician) is a person's first point of contact with the healthcare system. They handle routine exams, treat non-emergency ailments like stomachaches or sore throats, and answer patients' health inquiries. They offer comprehensive and continuous care for patients with any undiagnosed symptom or health condition, whether biological, behavioral, or social. They also collaborate with other healthcare workers and refer patients to specialists for advice.

A solid primary care team has primary care doctors who work closely with other medical specialists, such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants. A group like this can successfully take care of a patient's unique needs. These unique necessities include acute care, long-term care, health maintenance, rehabilitation, and preventative care.

What kind of education and training do primary care physicians receive? 

Intensive education and training are required to become a PCP. Their four-year undergraduate program is the initial step toward becoming doctors. Undergraduate pre-medical courses cover chemistry, biology, and other related topics.

Following this, prospective PCPs must join a four-year medical school where students study anatomy and physiology. They also have to participate in many clinical rotations, where they learn about different medical specializations.

After graduating from medical school, a PCP must enter a residency program in internal medicine, pediatrics, family medicine, or gynecology. These programs take up to at least three years. Some family physicians open up their practice after completing their residencies, while other medical professionals may choose to do fellowship programs for an in-depth study in a specific area of medicine, like obstetrics or preventive medicine. After the residency training, these fellowship programs have an extra 12-month duration.

Types of primary care doctors

• Geriatricians: They have the skills necessary to care for patients over 60. Arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, dementia, heart disorders, balance problems, and osteoporosis can all be diagnosed and treated by them.
• Obstetrician-gynecologists (OB-GYNs): The female population receives healthcare services from them. Pregnancy, childbirth, labor, and postpartum are all parts of the maternity phase during which OB-GYNs offer medical help and guidance. Additionally, they take care of anything related to women's reproductive health and treat STDs (STIs).
• Pediatricians: They provide care for infants, kids, and teenagers. Additionally, they offer general preventative care, immunizations, and parental counsel about the growth and development of children.
• Internal medicine specialists: Internists provide medical care to adults and treat ailments like diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. They are experts in treating, identifying, and preventing illnesses and long-term disorders.
• Family physicians: They serve an entire family and treat patients of any gender and age. They are specialists who deal with a range of ailments. They offer common preventative medicine and primary health screenings.

Why should one visit a primary care doctor?

Primary care is not just for illness; it's crucial for proactive healthcare. Visit your primary care doctor for health inquiries, annual exams, screenings, and immunizations. They diagnose illnesses, prescribe medications, and manage chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension. After accidents or injuries, your primary care doctor is often the first contact with healthcare. This ongoing partnership offers better healthcare access, lowers costs, and improves health outcomes. 

Primary care is a cost-effective alternative to emergency rooms for basic health needs. Access to a primary care provider correlates with lower healthcare spending and better overall health, highlighting its vital role.

What should one expect during a physical exam or a routine checkup?

Once you have finalized the best primary care doctor near you, it’s time to understand what happens during the visit. When visiting a primary care doctor for a routine checkup, the process typically begins with the nurse taking you to the exam room. There, they check your blood pressure, temperature, and other vital signs. Then, they verify your health history, look at the list of your medications, allergies, and lifestyle choices in your electronic medical record, and inquire about changes in your medical or surgical history since the last visit. The nurse may also address medication refills and conduct screening assessments for depression or alcohol use. 

Your doctor then reviews the information in your medical record, asking any relevant questions and offering counseling on lifestyle choices and screening assessment findings. Hare, you should take the opportunity to ask your doctor any questions. The physical exam includes:

• Inspecting your body for any kind of unusual growths or marks
• Palpating your abdomen and other parts of your body to check internal organs
• Auscultating your heart, lungs, and intestines with a stethoscope
• Using percussion to detect abnormalities

For women aged 21-65, the doctor may perform a Pap smear. Additional exams or tests may be conducted depending on your age, health risks, and current status. Following the exam, your doctor discusses their findings with you, suggesting any necessary tests, screenings, or treatments. They also provide information about any required medications. 

Find the best primary care doctor near you in Eastchester, New York

As discussed till now, a primary care provider (PCP) can shape your health. Therefore, it is critical to pick a PCP who thoroughly understands your needs. And when it comes to finding the best PCP in Eastchester, New York, you can trust Zocdoc to assist you. 

Zocdoc is among the top online resources for finding a primary care doctor in Eastchester, New York, or anywhere across the US. Users can narrow down the best PCP using Zocdoc's user-friendly platform and advanced filters. You could search using your home address, zip code, ailment or concerns, preferred appointment day and time, and health insurance policy.

After you input your details in the search fields, Zocdoc will look through its database of thousands of primary care doctors and present you with a list of specialists most suitable for your needs. You can select your current insurance provider and plan from Zocdoc's drop-down menu of insurance to find in-network doctors. This feature lets you locate a PCP who readily takes your insurance. Also, you can schedule both in-person and online sessions on Zocdoc. 

Further, patients can browse individual medical professionals' profiles on Zocdoc, highlighting their education, work experience, and clinical methods. By clicking on the names of the doctors, patients can access their profiles containing the information mentioned above. PCPs' profiles also include a summary of their training, specialties, credentials, affiliations, accreditation, and noteworthy professional accomplishments. The location, preferred languages, gender, and business hours are all listed here. 

The profile section also shows users verified reviews and ratings left by previous patients. 

Booking appointments with the best primary care doctors near you through Zocdoc is simple, safe, and 100% cost-free.

Primary healthcare statistics in New York

General internal physicians are also primary caregivers. New York has the highest level of employment for general internal medicine physicians in the country (as of May 2021), followed by California and Texas, according to data presented by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). 

Per the 2018 Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) report, out of approximately 73,000 active physicians practicing in New York, almost 22,064 are primary care doctors. New York has around 28,489, or nearly 34.8%, female physicians. Roughly 384 primary care doctors focus on preventive care, compared to almost 11,103 practicing internal medicine and over 4,000 specializing in family medicine.

Conditions like diabetes are frequently managed and treated by primary care doctors. More than 1.7 million adults in New York, or nearly 10.7% of the adult population, have diabetes, per the American Diabetes Association (ADA). In addition, around 456,000 New Yorkers do not know they have diabetes. In New York, almost 5.2 million individuals (or roughly 33.5% of the population) have above-average blood sugar levels, indicating prediabetes.

Sources

American Diabetes Association

New York State Department of Health 

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Association of American Medical Colleges

Cleveland Clinic

WebMD

St. George's University

American Academy of Family Physicians

Healthline[1]

Healthline[2]

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.