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Who is a primary care doctor?

A primary care doctor, also called a primary care physician (PCP), practices general medicine. They provide routine checkups and treat common illnesses such as cough, fever, rash, minor injury, or persistent headache. Primary care doctors are patients' first point of contact for medical issues.

PCPs provide non-emergency care and often have private practices. However, they may also work in clinics, inpatient and outpatient hospitals, nursing homes, corporate offices, or government departments. PCPs can provide preventive care and refer patients to a specialist if needed. These physicians can help save money on medical costs by preventing illnesses from getting severe diseases that require hospitalization.

PCPs treat people of all ages and often treat the members of entire families over time; this allows them to develop long-term doctor-patient relationships. They can detect significant changes in a patient's health by keeping themselves updated on their medical history. 

PCPs schedule checkups and vaccines and can advise on leading a healthy lifestyle, exercising, dieting, and managing weight.

What do primary care doctors do?

Primary care doctors can diagnose depression, diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, signs of domestic violence, and breast, prostate, cervical, and colorectal cancers. They can perform lab tests to diagnose illnesses, provide wound care, manage fever or dehydration, and prescribe medication.

PCPs can also monitor developmental disorders, sexually transmitted diseases, high cholesterol, risk factors for heart disease, and the status of immunizations. They can also help manage chronic conditions such as asthma, arthritis, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Primary care doctors can treat minor skin infections, rashes, bites, muscle sprains, and strains. They can also do tests to check for broken bones and cast, splint, or brace injured limbs. 

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

Students first complete their graduation in subjects such as biology, math, and chemistry. After earning a bachelor's degree, students must enroll in a medical college, where they study and train for four years. 

During the initial two years in medical college, students study in classrooms and laboratories. The following two years involve practical training. Here, they learn to diagnose and treat illnesses in clinics, hospitals, or other medical settings. They treat patients under the expert supervision of experienced doctors and specialists. They also undergo clinical rotations in different specialties to gain broad knowledge about medical areas. After completing medical school, students earn a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or a Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.) degree. 

Upon medical school, doctors must complete a residency that may last three to seven years, depending on the chosen specialty. During this time, they also do clinical rotations in various subspecialty areas. 

Some primary care doctors prefer to specialize further by doing a fellowship; this means additional study and training for one to three years, depending on the subspecialty. 

Once they complete their residency, PCPs must be board-certified. To do so, they must clear an exam conducted by the respective specialty board. 

What are the different types of primary care doctors?

Although all primary care doctors diagnose and treat common illnesses and conditions, they can specialize in different areas.

• Pediatricians are specialists in diagnosing and treating illnesses in children, from infants to teenagers. 
• Geriatricians train to treat seniors. They are experts at treating illnesses or conditions such as insomnia, dementia, Parkinson's disease, and other ailments that occur in late adulthood. 
• Family doctors or practitioners treat people of all ages, from children to seniors. They generally treat all the members of a family when required. 
• Internal medicine doctors, or internists, diagnose and treat illnesses of the internal organs. They treat only adults and can generally handle complex and multiple illness conditions. 
• Adolescent medicine specialists study both pediatrics and internal medicine. They are experts at treating illnesses in teens.
• Combined internal medicine and pediatric specialists study both pediatrics and internal medicine.
• Obstetricians and gynecologists, also called OB-GYNs, are experts in illnesses and conditions of the female reproductive system. They also provide care during pregnancy, delivery, and post-delivery. 

In addition to primary care physicians, some nurse practitioners and physician assistants can also offer primary care. 

Internist vs. primary care doctor

People often confuse the terms “general practitioner,” “primary care physician,” and “internist,” but it’s essential to understand their differences. General practitioners (GPs) and internists are primary care physicians focusing on adult care but serving different roles.

An internist specializes in internal medicine, which involves preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases and complex illnesses in adults. After completing medical school, internists undergo a three-year residency focusing exclusively on adult patients. They offer comprehensive care for adults, promote wellness, and coordinate with specialists as necessary.

Similar to internists, general practitioners are also classified as primary care physicians. However, a key distinction between them is that internists typically only treat adults, while general practitioners are trained to care for people of all ages, including children, adolescents, and adults.

When should you see a primary care doctor?

Unlike other doctors, you do not have to be sick to see a primary care physician. You can also see them for the following reasons:

• If you have any questions about your health or want to work towards getting healthier
• If you were in an accident or suffered a minor injury
• If you want to get health screenings, lab tests, vaccines, or an annual physical exam
• If you require a referral to a specialist to manage chronic health conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), hypertension, and diabetes

What to expect while visiting a primary care doctor near you?

The first time you see a primary care provider, they will review your medical history, including diagnoses and prescription medications, and discuss your healthcare needs. They will also examine your family's medical history to understand any potential health complications you might be vulnerable to. Finally, they will perform a general exam, which includes:

• Checking your vital signs - Temperature, pulse, lung rates, and blood pressure
• Wellness screening - To check your cholesterol levels, immunization status, diabetes symptoms, mental health, etc.

During follow-up visits to your primary care physician, you would typically discuss the following:

• Chronic disease management
• Prescription renewal or changes
• New illnesses or health concerns 
• Lifestyle and dietary changes
• Recommendations and referrals for health screenings

They also perform annual physical exams, which include:

• General tests: Heart, lung, head, neck, skin, abdominal, and neurological exams
• For men: Testicular, penis, hernia, and prostate exams
• For women: Breast exam and pelvic exam (constitutes a pap smear and HPV test)

Before seeing them, list any health-related questions, concerns, and symptoms you might be experiencing. This way, you could discuss everything necessary during the session.

How do you select a primary care doctor for your health care needs?

Here are the top tips on choosing the best primary care doctor near you for long-term care and treatment.

• Expert doctor for unique health needs: Your aim should be to choose a certified doctor specializing in your unique health issues. You can choose from different specialists in primary care doctors, such as pediatrics (child medicine), internal medicine (internist), family practice, and general practice. If your child has health issues, it is best to see a pediatric doctor. See an internist if you are an adult with internal organ health issues. Seek a family or general physician for general health checks and preventive care. 
• Travel time: Select a primary care doctor near your home or office. It will help you save time when traveling to the doctor. Moreover, you can keep up with the routine visit schedules. It will also be easier for the doctor to attend to you at your place in case of an emergency. 
• Seek referrals: Referrals and recommendations are a great way to find a qualified primary care doctor suitable for your unique health needs. Ask your friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and acquaintances who've recently seen a doctor or are associated with a physician for long-term primary care. They can provide genuine suggestions on qualified and experienced primary care doctors. It'll help you make an informed choice.  
• Doctors in your network: If you have insurance, check the list of primary care doctors who accept your insurance plan. You'll spend less visiting "in-network" doctors. However, you must check the doctor's credentials before booking an appointment. Also, confirm their charges before planning a visit. Most insurance plans have a panel of board-certified doctors for an area or locality. Check with your insurance service provider and choose accordingly. 

How can one find a good primary care doctor in Smyrna, TN?

Primary care doctors handle our daily medical requirements, allowing you to stay healthier. Maintaining a long-term doctor-patient relationship with a PCP can also help reduce medical costs caused by emergency hospitalizations. PCPs can also help you seek advanced care, treat you when you are ill, and guide you on how to stay healthy. Zocdoc can help you find the PCP you need!

Finding the top primary care doctor near you in Smyrna, Tennessee, could take undue time and effort. However, Zocdoc's vast database of the leading healthcare professionals in the country can help you find a suitable PCP in a matter of minutes.

Go to the Zocdoc website, input your symptoms, preferred location, required appointment date, and insurance plan in the search box, and click find. You will get an extensive selection of PCPs based on your search parameters. One can also use the filters to find medical professionals according to gender, hospital affiliation, spoken languages, and whether or not they treat children.

Every provider has a profile on Zocdoc. It contains details on their education and training, credentials, areas of expertise, practice locations, awards, and licenses, among other things. Additionally, Zocdoc routinely compiles patient feedback and rankings on each profile page. You can use these verified reviews to make a more informed decision.

You may book both in-person and online appointments on Zocdoc. To identify providers who offer video consultations, look for the purple video button on the provider's profile or use the associated search filter. You can book appointments during office hours - before 10 a.m. or after 5 p.m. - or on weekends, depending on the PCP's availability.

If you want to find a doctor who accepts your insurance, add your insurance information (your insurance provider and plan) on the Zocdoc search. It will help you see in-network providers who accept your plan. When you search for providers on the Zocdoc app on your phone, upload a photo of your insurance card (this option is not available for vision or dental plans), and we will scan and display your insurance plan. It will help you find accurate results of in-network primary care doctors near you. Check out Zocdoc's patient help center for more information and solutions related to insurance. 

On Zocdoc, scheduling an appointment is free, simple, and secure!

Statistics on primary care doctors in Tennessee 

According to America's Health Rankings, Tennessee had about 309.9 active primary care providers (PCPs) per 100,000 people in September 2024. This figure includes specialists in general practice, family practice, pediatrics, geriatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, internal medicine, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners.

Primary care physicians are crucial in managing chronic disorders like diabetes, arthritis, and asthma. In 2023, approximately 14.5% of the adult population in Tennessee was diagnosed with diabetes, which excludes gestational diabetes and prediabetes. This percentage is higher than the national average of 11.5%. The diagnosis rate was higher among men (15.1%) than women (14%). The incidence of diabetes was notably higher at 27.3% for individuals aged 65 and above, compared to 19.4% for those aged 45 to 64 and 4.2% for individuals aged 18 to 44.

Furthermore, about 33.2% of Tennessee's adult population was diagnosed with arthritis in 2023, exceeding the national average of 26.3%. Women were more likely to be diagnosed with arthritis (37%) than men (29%). The condition's prevalence also increased with age, affecting 59.4% of those aged 60 and above, 40.4% of those aged 45 to 64, and 14% of those aged 18 to 44.

Additionally, approximately 11% of Tennessee's adult population was diagnosed with asthma in 2023, slightly above the national average of 10.3%. Women (14%) were more likely to have asthma than men (7.8%). The highest incidence of asthma was observed in individuals aged 45 to 64 (11.8%), while the rates were lower for those aged 18 to 44 (10.9%) and the lowest for those aged 65 and above (10.3%).

Sources

KidsHealth

Healthline

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]

America’s Health Rankings[6]

America’s Health Rankings[7]

America’s Health Rankings[8]

America’s Health Rankings[9]

America’s Health Rankings[10]

Medical Associates of Northwest Arkansas

WebMD[1]

WebMD[2]

Blue Cross Blue Shield

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.