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What is a primary care doctor, and what do they do?

Primary care involves integrated, timely, and accessible healthcare services that physicians and their healthcare teams offer. It is often the patient's first contact with the health care system. Primary care is an inclusive form of acute, wellness, and preventive care. Primary care also helps manage long-term or chronic conditions, including mental health. 

A primary care doctor or a PCP is a doctor of medicine (M.D.) who can manage, diagnose and treat several illnesses. PCPs primarily focus on preventive care, can prescribe medications, and perform minor surgical procedures. They may also assess your medical and family history, administer vaccinations, and suggest necessary lifestyle changes to prevent a disease you may be susceptible to. They also conduct follow-ups, monitor your illness or injury, and perform tests like X-rays, CT scans, or EKGs. Some PCPs may also provide emergency care, treat critical conditions like asthma attacks and migraines, and provide wound care. 

What is the significance of primary care? 

Primary care is the main source of your healthcare, fostering a continuous partnership with your healthcare practitioner within your community. The key objectives of primary care are to

• improve your access to quality healthcare
• reduce your expenses
• enhance your health outcomes

Many individuals believe that primary care is a better alternative than visiting the emergency room because it is less costly and takes less wait time to treat minor, acute illnesses or accidents.

Some conditions that a primary care doctor treats

Primary care medicine focuses on a broad range of conditions, unlike other specialties, which are restricted to treating only a particular organ. PCPs generally treat minor illnesses or injuries that do not require complex treatment. A primary care physician can share references of a medical specialist if you have a specific disease that requires surgery or advanced treatment. A primary care doctor can treat the following conditions:

• Diabetes management

Diabetes occurs with excess blood sugar or glucose. In diabetes, the body's cells are resistant to insulin. PCPs are trained to treat and manage this condition. They can make patient-specific care plans and keep track of diabetes-associated diseases through routine physicals and eye exams. 

• High Blood Pressure (HBP)

Hypertension surfaces when the blood pressure in the walls of the arteries is too high (above 130/80 mm Hg). Normal blood pressure is recorded at or below 120/80 mmHg. High blood pressure (HBP) is commonly known as a 'silent killer' as it may not have any symptoms. Hypertension can increase the probability of developing heart disease. In this case, early detection through a routine health checkup is the only way to learn if they have high blood pressure. 

• Asthma

Asthma is a lung illness where the airways swell up, narrow down, and produce excess mucus. This leads to wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain, and trouble sleeping. A primary care doctor can help diagnose asthma by conducting lung function tests and prescribing long-term or quick-relief medications, depending on the severity of your condition. Patients can also outline an asthma action plan with their PCP, including when to take medications and tweak dosage. A PCP may also recommend you to an allergist or immunologist if necessary. 

What are the different types of primary care providers? 

More than one type of healthcare professional can provide primary care. A primary care doctor completes medical school followed by clinical rotations in various areas of medicine, some of which include:

• Family physicians

They can diagnose and treat health conditions in all family members, from infants and adolescents to middle-aged and older adults. They provide care in inpatient and outpatient facilities as well as nursing homes. 

• Pediatricians

They are age-defined specialists who treat diseases in adolescents, toddlers, infants, teenagers, and young adults aged 21 and below. They treat developmental, congenital, and common conditions like the flu and asthma. They may also treat rare disorders that are hereditary or genetic.

• Geriatricians

They diagnose and treat ailments in older adults only. They coordinate with a multidisciplinary team of healthcare providers to focus on treating complex and chronic age-related conditions such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, dementia, and arthritis. They also manage multiple medications and provide hospice care.

• Obstetricians and gynecologists (OB-GYN)

They provide primary healthcare for the female reproductive system and all aspects of childbirth. Obstetrics focuses on care before, during, and after pregnancy. Gynecologists treat issues of the female reproductive system. OB-GYNs also conduct routine tests and STI checkups, treating problems like irregular menses, cervical cancer, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). 

• Physician Assistants

They have similar responsibilities to a physician. For this reason, they have become increasingly important in providing primary care. However, physician assistants cannot work independently and need a doctor's permission to prescribe treatment or perform a diagnostic evaluation. 

• Nurse Practitioners

They are not doctors but are qualified primary healthcare professionals who can diagnose and treat several injuries and illnesses. In some states, Nurse practitioners can also prescribe medication with or without the supervision of a physician. 

What does a primary care doctor do during routine checkups?

Everyday aspects of your medical history and lifestyle impact your overall health and well-being. A primary care doctor will take these things into account and then:

• Educate you on how to make better health decisions to prevent illnesses. For example, your primary care doctor can help you quit smoking, suggest consuming more nutritious foods, or manage stress.
• Ensure all of your vaccinations are current to avoid illnesses like the flu.
• Suggest screening tests to identify issues before they become noticeable (e.g., a mammogram for breast cancer).
• Treat any health issues that arise (such as a rash or an infection).
• Assist you in managing long-term health issues (such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or depression).
• If necessary, find a specialist (such as a knee surgeon or a heart doctor).

What to expect during a first visit to the primary care physician?

During your initial visit to your primary care physician, the emphasis will be on collecting essential information that enables them to comprehend your individual profile, medical history, and healthcare requirements. They will go through your medical records and prescriptions, discuss your medical history and the medical histories of your family members, and perform a general exam on you.

Follow-up appointments will focus on specific healthcare goals, such as strategies for improving or managing well-being or treating a disease. Make a note of your questions, concerns, and any symptoms you are having before visiting your doctor. You will not forget to tell your doctor something vital or to ask a question this way. 

Find primary care doctors near you in Rosedale, Maryland

Visiting a primary healthcare doctor will not only help you get accessible care but also improve your overall health. A PCP can also help you reduce the risk of developing severe health issues by detecting diseases like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes at an earlier stage. Early detection of such illnesses will also help you reduce overall medical costs. 

Finding a reliable primary care physician can be challenging and time-consuming. But worry not! Zocdoc is here to help you find the ideal primary care doctor in your area or neighborhood within a matter of minutes! Book an online consultation or in-person appointment with one right from the comfort of your home. 

Visit the Zocdoc website and enter your conditions or symptoms, location, insurance plan, and the date you wish to see a primary care doctor. Then, you can browse and select a primary care doctor near you based on gender, hospital affiliation, wait time, office location, spoken languages, and the patient type they treat. Zocdoc allows users to book appointments on the same day, within 24 hours, in the morning before 10 a.m., after 5 p.m., and even on weekends, depending on your chosen provider's availability. To check a provider's availability, click "Book Online" and "View all availability."

To help you choose the ideal primary care doctor near you, Zocdoc details each primary care physician's profile, including their specialties, medical background, clinical experience, awards, certifications, and earned licenses. You can also read honest patient reviews and why patients visit them. 

All bookings on Zocdoc are fast, free, and secure! 

Primary care in Maryland

Typical primary caregivers include general internal medicine physicians. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Maryland employs approximately 2,710 general internal medicine physicians (as of May 2021). Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD, the metropolitan area, has one of the highest employment numbers of internal medicine doctors in the United States (1,570). 

An Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) report showed that in 2020, Maryland ranked second in the United States for total active physicians per 100,000 population. In 2020, Maryland had nearly 22,915 active physicians, of which an estimated 7,075 comprised primary care physicians and 5,927 made up patient care PCPs. 

According to a 2021 primary care needs assessment report by the Maryland Department of Health, the most significant areas of need in 2021 were located within Allegany, Baltimore City, Dorchester, Saint Mary's, Washington, and Wicomico counties. These areas in Maryland demonstrated the poorest health outcomes in the entire state. 

Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) are identified for three types of health care- primary care, mental healthcare, and dental care in a county or specific neighborhoods. As of March 2021, Maryland had nearly 33 primary care HPSA designations encompassing around 883,486 residents or 14.6% of the Maryland population. In Baltimore County, the Rosedale area had a population of 10,799 residents. The area had one primary care physician for nearly 5,538 residents and no mental healthcare providers (as of January 2021). 

Sources 

American Academy of Family Physicians 

WebMD

Healthline[1]

Healthline[2]

Mayo Clinic[1]

Mayo Clinic[2]

Mayo Clinic[3]

Dignity Health

U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics

Association of American Medical Colleges 

Maryland Department of Health 

Cleveland Clinic

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.