Primary care

From WikiMD's Wellnesspedia

(PRY-mayr-ee kayr) Health services that meet most basic health care needs over time.

Who is a primary care provider?[edit | edit source]

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A primary care provider physician (M.D.Medical Doctor or D.O.Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine), nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist or physician assistant, as allowed under state law, who provides, coordinates or helps a patient access a range of health care services.

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What type of physicians provide primary care?[edit | edit source]

  1. Family practitioners
  2. Pediatricians
  3. Geriatricians
  4. Internists
  5. Obstetricians/gynecologists
  6. Nurse practitioners (NP) and physician assistants (PA)

What types of services are provided by primary care physicians?[edit | edit source]

  1. Primary care includes physical exams, treatment of common medical conditions, and preventive care such as immunizations and screenings.
  2. Primary care doctors are usually the first health professionals patients see for basic medical care.
  3. They may refer a patient to a specialist if needed.
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What are the benefits of having a primary care provider?[edit | edit source]

  • Primary care providers offer a usual source of care,
  • early detection and treatment of disease,
  • chronic disease management, and preventive care.

Do patients with a primary care provider get better care?[edit | edit source]

Yes. Patients with a usual source of care are more likely to receive recommended preventive services such as flu shots, blood pressure screenings, and cancer screenings

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Are there disparities in primary healthcare?[edit | edit source]

Yes. Disparities in access to primary health care exist, and many people face barriers that decrease access to services and increase the risk of poor health outcomes. Some of these obstacles include:

  1. lack of health insurance,
  2. language-related barriers,
  3. disabilities,
  4. inability to take time off work to attend appointments,
  5. geographic and transportation-related barriers, and
  6. a shortage of primary care providers.
  7. These barriers may intersect to further reduce access to primary care.

Is lack of health insurance a factor?[edit | edit source]

  1. Lack of health insurance decreases the use of preventive and primary care services and is associated with poor health outcomes.
  2. Individuals without health insurance may delay seeking care when they are ill or injured, and they are more likely to be hospitalized for chronic conditions such as diabetes or hypertension.
  3. In addition, children without health insurance are less likely to get vaccinations, a routine primary care service.
  4. Overall, having health insurance increases the use of health services and improves health outcomes.

How about language barriers in primary care?[edit | edit source]

Speaking a language other than English at home can negatively impact access to primary care and screening programs.

What factors contribute to reduced use of primary care?[edit | edit source]

  1. People may experience reduced access to primary care due to limited provider office hours and availability.
  2. Many primary care providers do not offer services during typical off-work hours, posing barriers to workers without sick leave benefits.
  3. Factors such as travel distance and the supply of primary care providers can also limit people’s ability to get primary care.
  4. Primary care is critical for improving population health and reducing health disparities.

How to find and compare primary care doctors?[edit | edit source]

Use the following website from Medicare called Care Compare that allows you to compare and find primary care or specialist providers

How do I impress a doctor?[edit | edit source]

  • Be punctual for your appointment.
  • Be transparent about your medical history and symptoms.
  • Show a keen interest in your own health.
  • Adhere to the doctor's advice and treatment recommendations.
  • Pose well-informed questions.

What is included in primary care?[edit | edit source]

WikiMD's primary-care doctor finder (USA)

Need help finding a primary care doctor in the United States?

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Why is primary care so important?[edit | edit source]

  • It serves as the first point of contact for healthcare.
  • It emphasizes preventive healthcare.
  • It offers effective management of chronic ailments.
  • It reduces the dependency on specialist care.

Is a GP a primary care physician?[edit | edit source]

What are the 4 types of diseases?[edit | edit source]

What should I ask my primary doctor?[edit | edit source]

  • Which screenings or tests are crucial for me?
  • How can I adopt a healthier lifestyle?
  • Are there alternative treatments available?
  • What are the expected side effects of this treatment?

What are the top chronic diseases?[edit | edit source]

What are the most common diseases?[edit | edit source]

What are some questions doctors ask to patients?[edit | edit source]

  • What is the primary concern today?
  • How long have these symptoms persisted?
  • Are you currently undergoing any medication?
  • Any known allergies?

What are the challenges of primary health care?[edit | edit source]

  • Resource constraints.
  • Rising incidence of chronic conditions.
  • Accessibility in rural areas.
  • Patient adherence to treatment plans.

What are the four pillars in primary health care?[edit | edit source]

What is a primary care physician responsibilities?[edit | edit source]

  • Diagnosing common health conditions.
  • Delivering preventive care and health knowledge.
  • Referring patients to specialized specialists when required.
  • Synchronizing care among diverse healthcare providers.

What are the most common conditions in primary care?[edit | edit source]

What are the daily activities of a primary care physician?[edit | edit source]

  • Engaging in patient consultations.
  • Diagnosing various health conditions.
  • Recommending treatments or prescribing medications.
  • Collaborating with fellow healthcare specialists.
  • Staying abreast with the latest in medical research.

Need helping finding a doctor or specialist in the United States? WikiMD can help with over 1 million healthcare providers in all the states and territories encompassing both the primary care and specialist providers. Choose a state or territory.

Primary care doctors (USA)[edit source]

Choose a primary care type:

General doctors (world)[edit source]

List of general doctors in the world.

country state amenity coordinates specialties post code city services local name
Afghanistan Kabul Hospitals 34.5015313, 69.08174532 General کابل Hospital شفاخانه معالجوی وطن
Afghanistan Kabul Hospitals 34.5015313, 69.08174532 General کابل Hospital شفاخانه معالجوی وطن
Albania Tirana Clinics 41.33584614, 19.81729256 General 1000 Tirana Clinic Intermedica
Albania Tirana Clinics 41.33584614, 19.81729256 General 1000 Tirana Clinic Intermedica
Albania Tirana Hospitals 41.33857746, 19.79459378 General 1000 Tirana Hospital Qendra shendetesore Nr.7

More...

Primary care Resources

Find a healthcare provider anywhere in the world quickly and easily!

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Contributors: Bonnu, Prab R. Tumpati, MD