Primary healthcare is often your first contact with the healthcare system when you have a medical concern. Primary care providers, such as your GP, dentist, and nurse, help maintain your health, check your lifestyle, manage your preexisting conditions, and treat common ailments. As the American Academy of Family Physicians puts it, these professionals coordinate the use of the healthcare system, acting as your advocate to ensure you get proper healthcare. But what exactly do primary care asheboro nc specialists do? Here is a look at the medical services you can get at a primary care facility.
Disease Prevention
Primary healthcare providers are dedicated to promoting wellness and preventing illness. In their bid to maintain your health, they may review your medical history to determine your risk profile, conduct regular screenings to catch diseases early, and administer vaccinations. They may also help you implement lifestyle changes to lower your risk of certain illnesses.
Checkups and Diagnosis
As an extension of disease prevention, primary healthcare providers administer regular medical checkups. These analyses are designed to catch illnesses in their early stages or provide a diagnosis for worrying symptoms. For example, your healthcare provider may perform an STD screening test as an answer to your concern about venereal symptoms. Obtaining a proper diagnosis can then help them provide treatment. If you are older, your provider may also regularly screen you for age-related conditions like diabetes and arthritis.
Acute Healthcare
Acute healthcare is a major pillar of primary care. It refers to diagnosing and treating injuries or ailments that develop suddenly but don’t have long-term effects on your health. For example, if you have a cold or have sprained your wrist lifting a box, it is more efficient to see a primary care provider than go to the ER or seek out a specialist.
Ongoing Care for Chronic Conditions
Some conditions have long-term effects on your health, and your primary healthcare provider can help manage these too. They are a great resource for help with chronic conditions like asthma, cancer, hypertension, and diabetes. Usually, they work hand in hand with a specialist to monitor your condition, prescribe medication, manage your symptoms, lower your risk of related conditions, and more. Because they work with you on an ongoing basis, they can also track changes to your health.
Specialist Recommendations
Speaking of specialists, your primary doctor may not be able to treat some conditions, especially if they are not trained in that field. But, they can diagnose you and recommend a specialist who is best suited to handle the matter. Part of their job is maintaining your health, even if they cannot do it themselves.
Is It Time to See a Primary Care Provider?
The healthcare system is so vast that it can feel alienating and impersonal. This is why primary care facilities are the nexus of wholesome medical care. By allowing you to create a relationship with your provider, these clinics allow you better access to healthcare, improve your health, and lower your medical costs. So if you have a cold, need an annual checkup, or need advice on your diet, you can turn to your primary care provider. They will help you where they can or refer you to a specialist where necessary. Either way, you will always leave a primary care facility with the answer you need.
