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Who are primary care doctors?

Primary care physicians (PCPs) or primary care doctors are the specialists you visit when you feel unwell, have a fever, get injured, suffer from acute or chronic illness symptoms, or plan to get a routine health checkup. Primary care doctors practice general medicine and are the first health professionals you contact for any health issue. They also provide comprehensive care services throughout your lifespan to help manage your long-term health problems. 

PCPs can detect and treat underlying health issues early before they lead to severe health complications. Regularly consulting a primary care doctor can help you stay healthy and reduce long-term medical costs. They treat you when sick, help you receive advanced or specialist care when required, and teach you the best practices to maintain good health and well-being.

While general medicine covers many diagnoses and treatments, primary care doctors can choose to specialize further. 

Education and training of primary care doctors 

Primary care doctors receive rigorous training lasting at least 11 years. They complete a four-year pre-medical undergraduate degree and four years of medical school. After graduating with an MD (Doctor of Medicine) or a DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine), they spend three years in a residency program involving clinical rotations in emergency medicine, general surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics, and inpatient care. After the residency, they can pursue specialized education by enrolling in one-year fellowship programs. 

To earn a license to practice, primary care doctors must pass one of the following:

• Doctors with an MD: United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)
• Doctors with a DO: Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination of the United States (COMLEX-USA)

While not compulsory, they can also get certified by the American Board of Family Medicine or the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians by clearing an examination. 

What are the different primary care specialties?

Primary care physicians can pursue several specialties. Each specialization has a unique educational and training requirement and may take three or more years. PCPs include:

• Family medicine doctors treat family members of all ages.
• Pediatricians provide care to children from infancy to age 21.
• Family nurse practitioners and physician assistants assist different types of doctors. They are also the first specialists a patient meets in the doctor's office.
• Internal medicine specialists identify and treat diseases and ailments affecting the internal organs. They typically treat only adults.
• Obstetricians and gynecologists (OB-GYNs) treat illnesses and disorders in women of all ages. They specialize in the female reproductive system and can help with childbirth, prenatal care, and postpartum support.

When should you consider visiting a primary care doctor near you?

All your day-to-day medical needs narrow within the scope of primary care. Here are a few signs and symptoms you should see a primary care doctor for:

• High fever, colds, and coughs: If you've had a fever for 3-4 days and over-the-counter medications are not working, you should visit the primary care doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. Likewise, if you suffer from a persistent cough and cold, a primary care doctor can provide the appropriate treatment and help you regain good health.
• Severe chronic disease symptoms: If you suffer from severe chronic illnesses like cancer, diabetes, tuberculosis, arthritis, heart disease, etc., the primary care doctor can put you through a treatment plan to assist you in better managing the symptoms and improving your quality of life. 
• Vaccinations and screening tests: Primary care doctors administer vaccinations and manage your immunization records. They conduct various screening tests to monitor your health and ensure proper diagnosis of severe health issues. If required, they can even refer you to an appropriate specialist. 
• Lifestyle changes: Lifestyle modifications may be needed to avoid illness or effectively manage chronic illness symptoms. Primary care doctors can guide you on maintaining a healthy lifestyle for good health or effectively managing your illness symptoms.  

Preventive health checkups at a board-certified primary care doctor are the best ways to understand your health and to stay one step ahead of any disease if it strikes without notice. 

But how do you find such a vital wellness partner from an endless list of doctor names, websites, and directories? The answer is simple – Log in to Zocdoc.

What does an annual exam cover?

You should book a session with your primary care physician each year for a full-body physical examination. During this checkup, they will check for the following:

• Vital signs: Temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate
• General appearance: How your skin appears, how easily you can stand and walk around, your memory and mental state, and other general health indicators
• Head and neck exam: Teeth and gum health, tonsils, sinuses, thyroid, and lymph nodes
• Cardiac exam: Check for irregular heartbeat, heart murmur, palpitations, etc.
• Lung exam: Check for wheezing, cracking, and breathing sounds
• Abdominal exam: Liver size, presence of abdominal fluids, and bowel sounds
• Dermatological exam: Skin, nail, and hair health
• Neurological exam: Assess your cognition, coordination, balance, reflexes, body's reception to different stimulations, gait, and mobility
• Male sexual health: Prostate, hernia, penis, and testicular exams
• Female sexual health: Breast exam (mammography) and pelvic exam (including pap smear and HPV test)

The annual exam ensures good health. If there are warning signs, your doctor can promptly identify symptoms of illnesses and help you access suitable treatment by prescribing medicines or referring you to specialists.

Preparing for your first appointment

Usually, the first doctor's appointment will last about 15 minutes. So, plan well to ensure the maximum utilization of the given time. Here's how to go about it:

• Prepare your questions: Before your visit, jot down your concerns and questions. Start with what matters the most and end with the least pressing issues. A list will make you remember everything necessary. As per what the doctor says, adjust the order of your problems if needed.
• Gather your health information: If you're a new patient, gather as much health information as possible to help your doctor understand your history. For returning patients, focus on updates or changes since your last visit.
• Create a health journal: Document your health history, symptoms, blood pressure readings, diet, and sleep patterns in a journal. Bring this to your appointment to provide a comprehensive overview of your physical condition.
• Bring relevant records: Take any X-rays, test results, or medical records that might help your doctor understand your health journey.
• List your medications: Write down all your medications, including dosages and how often you take them. Include vitamins and supplements as well.
• Consider bringing support: Bring a family member along to help listen, take notes, and ask questions during your appointment. Their presence can provide additional support and guarantee you fully understand your doctor's recommendations. Remember to communicate any special needs, such as interpreter services, in advance.

How should you choose a new primary care doctor?

Partnering with a primary care doctor can go a long way in safeguarding your lifelong well-being. You can contact them in case of new symptoms, minor injuries, or mental health problems. Moreover, they are your best resource for understanding preventive practices and lifestyle choices. However, the process of finding a new provider who you can genuinely trust can be overwhelming. Here are some ideas that can help you in the right direction: 

• Consider the healthcare costs: If you have health insurance, you must start by exploring doctors in your network to save on medical expenses. No coverage? Make sure to compare visits, prescriptions, and other charges of various providers to find one that fits your budget. 
• Ask around: Visiting a primary care doctor your family member, friend, neighbor, or colleague trusts can lead to a better experience. You can also ask your dentist, therapist, or other providers you see for recommendations. 
• Think about location and accessibility: Do you need a provider near your home or closer to your workplace? Will you travel in your private vehicle and need parking space? Do you need the doctor's office to be accessible via public transportation? Do you require elevators or ramps for wheelchairs? It is important to ask these questions and understand your needs before you start looking for a primary care doctor. 
• Determine your preferences: You must understand if you prefer seeing a male, female, or non-binary provider. Think about the communication aspect, too—do you choose a doctor who speaks a specific language? You can also reflect on whether the doctor's age, race, or religion matters to you. Considering these parameters will help you narrow your options and make it easy to find a provider you will feel more comfortable meeting. 
• Review the doctor's office policies: Before zeroing down on a primary care doctor, check their policies and whether they match your requirements. For instance, you can see if their appointment timings are suitable and whether they offer urgent or emergency care. Who sees patients if the doctor is on leave? Do they offer virtual care? Matching with the right provider is essential to ensure a fulfilling visit experience. 

How to find the best primary care doctor near you in Spokane, Washington 

With Zocdoc, you can easily find the best and most experienced board-certified primary care doctors in Spokane, Washington. Our website has a detailed list of qualified primary care doctors.

The process is simple: Create a free account on Zocdoc. Next, choose your specialty or condition, location, date, and insurance plan. A comprehensive list of doctors based on your search criteria will appear. Zocdoc has partnered with qualified, experienced primary care doctors in Spokane, Washington, who provide extensive advice and treatment to patients. You can even use the Zocdoc insurance detector if you need clarification on your insurance plan.

You can securely upload your insurance card without hassle. At Zocdoc, safeguarding your privacy is a top priority, and we adhere to the industry's best practices to protect your information. For more details on how we handle data privacy, visit our information security page. If you have additional questions about insurance, explore the resources available in Zocdoc's Patient Help Center.

Each board-certified primary care doctor on Zocdoc has a profile that includes a brief introduction, education qualification, practice location, patient reviews, gender, languages they speak, and visit reasons. Therefore, you get to know everything you need about a particular primary care doctor near you on a single platform. 

After completing an appointment, Zocdoc asks the patient to leave a review. Therefore, the most effective way to find the best primary care doctor in Spokane, Washington, is to read updated patient reviews on Zocdoc. You can also book video appointments on Zocdoc before an in-person visit to better understand your primary care doctor. Look for a purple video icon on primary care doctors' profiles, or filter the video appointment selection.

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Primary healthcare statistics in Washington, USA

According to Washington State's Physician Workforce report, in 2021, approximately 17,736 certified physicians were involved in direct patient care in Washington, about 15% higher than the 2014 estimate. It equals about 228 physicians and 81 primary care physicians per 100,000 people. 

As per the data published on America's Health Rankings website, in 2021, almost 29.6% of adults in Washington reported having high blood pressure, lower than the US average of 32.4%. At about 56.5%, the prevalence of high blood pressure was highest in the 65+ age group compared to other age groups but lower than the US average of 60.6% for the same age group. 

The website further reports that, in 2022, about 7.7% of adults in Washington reported having coronary heart disease or angina (a stroke, myocardial infarction, or a heart attack), lower than the US average of 9.1%. Cardiovascular disease prevalence in the 65+ age group in Washington was 20.6%, the highest compared to other age groups but lower than the US average of 22.4% for the same group. 

Sources

Nemour's KidsHealth

WebMD[1]

WebMD[2]

American College of Physicians

Cleveland Clinic[1]

Cleveland Clinic[2]

Washington State's Physician Workforce in 2021

America's Health Rankings[1]

America's Health Rankings[2]

familydoctor.org

Healthline

National Institute on Aging

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.