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Who is a primary care doctor?

A primary care doctor is your go-to resource for medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, and, if necessary, to get referred to the appropriate specialist. Also known as primary care physicians (PCPs), they are medically trained individuals who practice general medicine.

The PCP is the first medical professional you see while seeking medical advice or diagnosis and treatment. While most PCPs are physicians, they can also be nurse practitioners or physician assistants.

Further, there are different types of primary care doctors. A PCP might be an internist, a pediatrician, or a general practitioner who treats patients of all ages.

What are the educational qualifications of a primary care doctor?

Before an individual can practice as a primary care doctor, they must complete an undergraduate degree in pre-med or other science fields, followed by a degree in medicine or osteopathic medicine. After graduation, they must take competitive tests for their licensing, which include the first and second stages of the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination of the USA (COMPLEX-USA) or the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).

After earning their license, they enroll in a residency program focusing on fields like pediatrics, emergency medicine, obstetrics, and general surgery under the supervision of professionals. Some physicians may also get certification from the American Board of Family Medicine or the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians.

The role of a primary care doctor

Your long-term healthcare ally, the primary care physician, remains by your side throughout your health journey, adapting to your evolving needs as time goes on. Your primary care doctor should generally know all the tests, medications, and treatments you receive. It helps them get an overall understanding of your health and requirements. The health of children is a constant cause of concern for parents. Therefore, it's essential to take your child for routine checkups to a PCP. 

They are in the best position to help you if you need to collaborate with other doctors for a specific ailment. Since they know you and your medical history, your primary care doctor can assist you through the years. Primary care doctors can typically offer treatment in their offices. If need be, they can refer you to a specialist. 

Finding a primary care physician you can rely on is crucial. It helps to build a rapport with your PCP and get to know one another over a long period. Finding the best primary care doctor may first seem complicated, but it helps if you know the appropriate measures to take. Remember that the long-term benefits of having a primary care physician outweigh the short-term effort required to find one.

Preventing yourself or your children from falling ill in the first place – preventive care – is one of the most crucial responsibilities of a primary care doctor. The ideal preventive measures include:

• Relationship-building with a primary care doctor, you like and can trust
• following the primary care doctor's recommendations for a healthy lifestyle, maintaining weight, and keeping up with the recommended amount of exercise
• being regular with routine exams and vaccinations

Types of primary care physicians

Primary care physicians address a diverse array of medical conditions, and there exist various categories of primary care doctors.

• Family doctors, sometimes known as family physicians, treat patients of all ages, including newborns, young children, teenagers, adults, and the elderly.
• PCPs who are pediatricians treat infants, children, and teenagers.
• Internal medicine professionals, or internists, typically treat adults, but some may see patients as young as their late teens. Pediatricians or internists with additional training in treating teenagers are known as adolescent medicine specialists.
• Obstetrician-gynecologists (OB-GYNs) focus on women's health issues. They may serve as primary care doctors for girls who have begun menstruation.

When should you visit a primary care doctor?

Any non-emergency health-related inquiries or concerns should be directed to your primary care doctor first. These can include the following:

• high fever
• earache
• stomachache
• persistent headache
• wheezing
• rash
• persistent cough

Additionally, you should contact a primary care doctor whenever you are unsure about something related to your health.

You must visit the emergency room (ER) if you or a family member experiences the following:

• shortness of breath, difficulty breathing
• a change in mental states, such as unusual sleepiness or difficulty staying awake, disoriented or confused, etc.
• a cut that won't stop bleeding
• a stiff neck and a fever
• rapid heartbeat 
• consuming a poisonous substance or too much medication
• head trauma

How do chronic diseases affect the body?

Chronic diseases are long-term medical conditions that require ongoing medical attention and may interfere with daily activities. A few people may also suffer from more than one chronic condition, significantly affecting their overall health and quality of life. 

According to America's Health Rankings website, three or more chronic conditions in a patient are termed multiple chronic conditions. Such patients belong to the highest care needing category of the population as each chronic illness requires additional monitoring, medication, and continuous care. Moreover, multiple chronic conditions also increase the risk of depression, mortality, adverse drug usage, unnecessary hospitalizations, and social, physical, and cognitive limitations.

Multiple chronic conditions also have a substantial economic burden on the individual. According to America's Health Rankings website, adults with five or more chronic conditions spend about 14 times more on health care than adults without chronic illnesses. As per the latest estimates, for every dollar spent on healthcare, about 71 cents is spent on treating multiple chronic conditions. 

What can be done to reduce the risk of chronic diseases?

Reducing the risk of chronic illnesses is essential for long-term good health and well-being. Lifestyle modifications, quitting smoking, a healthy diet, avoiding alcohol, and regular physical activity can help you stay healthy and away from common chronic illnesses. It also enables you to manage your existing chronic conditions effectively. 

Regular health checkups at the primary care doctor help to understand your condition and receive proactive treatment. It prevents the disease from becoming a major health complication.

How to find a reliable primary care doctor in Frisco, Texas?

There are plenty of doctors online, but who among them is right for you? Knowing that Zocdoc is here to help answer this daunting question, you can find reassurance. Through the online platform and mobile app, Zocodc can connect you to the best primary care doctors in Frisco, Texas, so you don't have to look elsewhere.

To begin your search, simply visit the website or the app, register for free, and search using your location or symptoms. You can also use Zocdoc's insurance locator to find an in-network professional and avoid paying hefty fees. Once done, Zocdoc will show you a list of doctors meeting your requirements. You can filter out the results further based on preferences such as language and gender.

Zocdoc also shows you doctors available for online or video consultation if you cannot visit them in person. Look for a purple video icon in their profiles, which details their educational background, experience, affiliations, specialties, and more. You can also chat with them before you decide which doctor is right for you. Finally, you must explore ratings and reviews left by past patients to make an informed decision.

All bookings made on Zocdoc are entirely safe, simple, and 100% free!

Statistics on primary health care and PCPs in Texas, US

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics data, 8,380 family medicine physicians worked in Texas as of May 2021.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that most patient appointments are with primary care doctors, also known as PCPs. The report says about 51.2% of patient visits in 2018 were to primary care doctors. Further, data from 2021 shows that 82.3% of adults had visited a doctor or other healthcare professional over the past year.

Primary care doctors are crucial in making health care accessible to others. There needs to be more primary care practitioners in the US, and the shortage will likely grow.

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), this shortage will likely be between 17,800 and 48,000 physicians by 2034. According to AAMC's survey in 2019, about 35% of respondents said they or someone they knew found it challenging to find a doctor when needed in the past year or two. It was a 10-point increase from 2015.

Sources

Louisiana Department of Health

KidsHealth

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

US Bureau of Labor Statistics

WebMD

Healthline

Cleveland Clinic

American Academy of Family Physicians

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.