What does a primary care doctor do?
Primary care doctors can diagnose and treat several diseases that trouble their patients. Primary care doctors are usually the patient's first point of contact. Usually, primary care doctors develop a strong relationship with the patient and work towards monitoring the patient's overall well-being.
Since a primary doctor is trained to diagnose and treat several conditions, no two days are ever the same for them. A primary care doctor treats common medical conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, elevated cholesterol levels, headaches, fever, and abdominal pain.
Primary care doctors focus on preventive care as well. A regular health check-up once every six months can go a long way in diagnosing illnesses on time.
Education and training of a primary care doctor
Primary care doctors undergo a significant duration of education and training. A four-year undergraduate degree in the sciences is the first step that aspirants must take in order to become a doctor.
The next step is to be accepted by a reputed medical school. At medical school, aspirants learn about human anatomy and physiology. They also gain experience by practicing in clinics where their shift is rotated.
Once they complete formal education, aspiring physicians must complete a residency program. These programs can take around three years to complete. Once the residency program is completed, doctors can get a license and start practicing medicine in their chosen state. Many doctors opt for fellowship programs that allow physicians to specialize in specific fields.
Overall, the education and training take around eleven to fourteen years.
What are the different kinds of primary care doctors?
As doctors complete their residency, they may choose to further specialize in a specific area of medicine by pursuing a fellowship. The world of medicine offers a variety of exciting specialty areas, each with its unique focus and expertise. Let's explore some of the most common areas of specialization.
- Family doctors: Highly versatile medical professionals who can treat patients of all ages. They have extensive training in adult medicine, geriatric medicine, musculoskeletal care, obstetrics, and pediatrics.
- Geriatricians: They specifically focus on caring for elderly patients. With advanced training, they are experts in treating balance problems, dementia, and insomnia.
- Internists: Dedicated to treating adults of all ages. However, they don’t treat children. They have a broad scope of practice and treat various acute and chronic disorders. They receive training in several fields, including endocrinology, geriatrics, neurology, rheumatology, orthopedics, and rehabilitation.
- Obstetrician-gynecologist: Specializes in women's health and has extensive knowledge in childbirth, postpartum care, pregnancy, and reproductive health. Some OB-GYNs provide general health services, like an internist or family doctor, while others focus solely on female reproductive health.
- Pediatricians: Experts in the wellness, development, and treatment of disorders that affect children and teenagers up to age 21. Some serve as primary care physicians for children, while others specialize in areas like pediatric cardiology or neurology.
When can you see a primary care doctor?
Unlike other doctors, you don't have to see a primary care doctor only when you are sick. You can also see them if:
1. If you have to get an annual check-up, health screening, or vaccinations.
2. If you feel unwell, your primary care doctor can examine you, order blood tests, or make a diagnosis and prescribe medication.
3. If you have a chronic illness such as diabetes, hypertension, or asthma, your primary care physician refers you to a specialist for good treatment.
4. If you were in an accident or injured, your primary care physician can be your initial contact for further advice.
Why are annual physical exams necessary?
During your annual physical exam, a primary care doctor checks for any signs of potential health care problems. These exams help you remain updated about your health and understand how to improve it. An annual physical exam is a part of preventive care. Visits to your primary care doctor can prevent serious medical problems from catching you off-guard. This means that you will have fewer trips to the emergency room.
How can you prepare for an annual physical exam?
The first step is to find an experienced and qualified primary care doctor. You will also need to check if they accept your insurance.
You should ideally prepare a list of all the medications you take. This also includes any herbal supplements or other drugs you consume. Note down any symptoms you have in detail or any other medical concern that you wish to discuss with your doctor.
Carry all the reports of laboratory tests that you have gone through. Also, note any surgical procedure you may have undergone in the past year. Finally, also carry a list of any questions that you have.
What to expect during an annual physical evaluation?
Before your physical examination, you can ask the physician or nurse any questions that you may have. You will also be asked about any symptoms, allergies, or recent surgical procedures. A nurse will check your basic vitals like blood pressure or pulse and other details such as height and weight.
Your physician will question you about how your health has been since your last exam. You must notify them if you have experienced any conditions like migraines, upset stomach, high blood pressure, extreme fatigue, or sore throat.
They may ask you about your habits so that they can understand your lifestyle. Questions about work-related stress, depression, and other problems may also be asked.
A primary care doctor starts examining your body for anything unusual. All organs like eyes, ears, neck, heart, and abdomen are inspected. The doctor might use a stethoscope to listen to your heart, lungs, and intestines.
The condition of bones, joints, and muscles is checked. If their condition is not optimal, the physician will provide tips on becoming more fit.
During the course of the physical exam, the doctor may gently tap various points of your body to check if any fluid is building up in those areas.
Generally, such physical exams are not painful. Let your doctor know if you feel any pain during the physical exam. If an exam is naturally painful, the physician will communicate the same to you.
After the physical exam, your primary care doctor will call you to provide the results of the tests. If any medical problems are found during the tests, your physician will create a treatment plan for you.
Find the best primary care doctors near you in Plainfield, Illinois.
Having a reliable primary care doctor can positively impact your health. If you live in Plainfield, Illinois, and have trouble finding a suitable physician, check out Zocdoc. Download the app or the website to find the best primary care doctor near you.
Both the app and site have a search bar. Enter details like the type of medical specialist you want to see, location, which in this case will be Plainfield, IL, the date of visit, and your insurance provider. Once you have entered all the details, click on the search icon.
The search results show hundreds of physicians who can provide you with the best care. People consider many factors before choosing a primary care doctor. Such factors are added to the filter so that people get the desired results.
Zocdoc has filters like the illness you suffer from, the practitioner's specialty, availability, distance from your location, visiting time, gender, hospital affiliation, specialists who only provide pediatric care, and languages the specialist speaks.
Once you click on the doctor's name, their entire profile will open. You can view details like recommendation rate, average wait time, overall rating, patient reviews, doctor's bio, insurance in their network, location, and educational background.
After you have made a choice, go ahead and book an appointment with the best primary care doctor near you. Booking an appointment on Zocdoc is easy, secure, and absolutely free!
Primary care–related statistics in Illinois
According to a 2022 America's Health Rankings report, Illinois has around 270.4 primary care physicians per 100,000 people.
There is a low prevalence of mental distress in the state, as only 12.9% of the adult population reports to be under frequent mental distress. There is, however, a high prevalence of physical inactivity in the state.
Around 9.8% of the adult population has avoided medical care due to the cost. Most of the state is medically insured; only 7% of the adult population remains uninsured.
When it comes to getting their flu vaccinations, the state can do better, as only 50.1% of the adult population got their flu vaccination in 2022.
Most adults in the state seem to know that a dedicated healthcare provider improves the quality of life. That is why almost 83.6% of adults reported having a reliable medical health provider.
Sources
Healthline
WebMD
St. George's University
TopLine MD Alliance
Cleveland Clinic
America's Health Rankings [1]
America's Health Rankings [2]
America's Health Rankings [3]
America's Health Rankings [4]
America's Health Rankings [5]
