People often neglect regularly seeing a doctor for various reasons. Or they tend to only visit when they feel like their health is suffering. In most cases, the majority of people who visit a doctor regularly are above a certain age or have a chronic disease that needs a check-up

However, virtually everyone can benefit from regular medical care and having their long-term healthcare overseen by a primary care doctor. Having a PCP can help ensure that you receive the care you need, when you need.

Failing to get regular health check-ups can lead to unexpected health issues—especially those that aren’t easily detected by an untrained eye. Without timely medical intervention, you could be faced with high medical costs, compounding health issues, and an overall reduced quality of life.

Having a primary care physician gives you psychological relief and first-hand care whenever you need it. If you are interested in learning more about primary care physicians and how they can play a part in your healthcare journey, this brief guide can help. Keep reading or use the links below to get started.

What is a primary care doctor or physician?

A primary care physician will be the main healthcare point of contact for all of a patient’s basic medical needs. As such, they typically get to know more about the patient they are treating fairly well and have a deeper understanding of their medical history and needs.

A primary care physician is one you would contact first when you have concerns regarding your health. 

As the patient regularly visits the primary healthcare professional, the PCP doctor will continue to have updates on the patient’s health and establish their medical history. In general, having a primary care physician or PCP doctor helps you minimize hassle, paperwork, and patient history retrieval when you are seeking medical attention.

Primary care physicians also act as a guide and recommend different treatment options and preventive practices to maintain your health and enhance your quality of life. You’ll be able to establish trust with your PCP doctor and feel confident in the guidance they provide when it comes to finding solutions for the health concerns that you might have. 

Establishing this relationship and keeping your primary care physician over the long term can provide many benefits.

What are the types of Primary Care Physicians?

Although primary care physicians practice general healthcare, it doesn’t mean they do everything. Depending on your needs and what kind of regular healthcare you want to get, there are five types of primary care physicians.

Pediatricians

A Pediatrician is a doctor who cares for infants, children, and adolescents. If you have children under the age of 21, you can choose pediatricians as your primary care physicians.

Family Practice Physicians

This type of practitioner may be the right fit if you have a large family. Family practice physicians are qualified to care for infants, children, teens, adults, pregnant women, and elders.

Geriatricians

A Geriatrician is a type of physician who cares for older adults. Elders above the age of 65 typically face similar health challenges such as chronic illness. Geriatricians are specially trained to address their needs, including health maintenance and prevention. 

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN) Physicians

This type of physician is specifically for pregnant women and women who are trying to get pregnant. Pregnant women need special care such as the right nutrition, proper exercise, and lifestyle guidance for both the mother and the baby.

Internal Medicine Physicians

Internal medicine physicians, or internists can be a great option for adult patients. Their focus includes diagnosis, disease prevention, and health promotion. They will keep you up to date with your health conditions.

Find a PCP doctor near you.

Do I have to choose a primary care doctor?

Whether or not you need to choose a primary care doctor will depend on what type of health insurance plan you choose. If you have a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan, you will typically need to have a primary care physician, since any visits to specialists must come with a referral from a PCP.

Generally speaking, most people can benefit from having a primary care doctor since they can provide more personalized healthcare and recommendations. With a PCP doctor, you’ll be able to establish a relationship and streamlined medical history that can make seeking future treatment easier—especially for those with conditions that require ongoing care. However, for those who want more flexibility, having a primary care physician may not be a priority.

How to choose a primary care doctor

If it’s your first time looking for or choosing a primary care physician, you can follow these steps:

• Identify your needs/which doctors are in the network. You first need to understand what you’re looking for in a primary care physician. If you have health insurance, which doctor is in your network? If you are paying from your pockets, how much does it cost?
• Ask for recommendation. You should ask friends and family members if they can recommend the correct physician to you.
• Determine if the doctor is readily available. How far is your doctor from where you’re living? Can you make an appointment when you need to see your doctor? How easy is it to contact your doctor for sudden health concerns?
• Consider their experience. Before choosing a primary care physician, you want to make sure they are a good fit for you. If you have a condition that requires specialized care, you may want to look into the doctor’s background to learn more about their experience. If you can find a PCP doctor with experience in the type of case you have, you can feel more confident that you’ll receive the best treatment for your needs.

What are some of the benefits of having a primary care doctor?

Your health insurance plan may not require you to choose a primary care provider (PCP), but there’s still quite a few good reasons to choose one anyways. Some examples of why you may want to find a primary care doctor:

• Medical history. Hospitals keep medical records, so if you often go to doctors within the same network, there’s probably a file of your medical history in their system. But having one health practitioner who knows your medical history, and knows you personally might help when it comes to keeping you healthy, and finding the source of any health problems you might be experiencing.
• Health plan. Similarly, having a doctor you’re familiar with can help making a health plan easier on both you and your medical practitioner. If you want to create a long term plan for maintaining a healthier lifestyle, having consistency and familiarity with your provider might be a good idea.
• Annual Check-up. Some health insurance plans come with an annual check-up that doesn’t require a copayment from you. But even if your plan does require a copayment, going to the doctor every once and awhile just to check in on your health isn’t a bad idea. If you have a primary care doctor who you go to for every check-up throughout the years, they can check back in with you about any problems you discussed with them previously. Going to a primary care doctor might also help you feel more comfortable to ask questions and share any concerns that you wouldn’t be as comfortable to bring up in front of a doctor you’ve never met before.

This article is for general information and should not be relied on as medical advice.  Check with a medical professional for medical advice.