Search engines know almost everything there is to know about a human body. But if they know what you exactly mean when you type in “I have a sharp pain in my stomach,” it is a different story altogether. The human body is the most complex of systems in existence and not even the good doctor on Google will be able to tell you what exactly is wrong with your body. This is why having a Primary Care Physician poke around your systems every now and then is crucial. If you take a “Why fix something when it is not broken” approach to your health, you will not like the surprises that come later.
What does a primary care physician do?
A primary care physician in Oklahoma City is a jack-of-all-trades. They specialize in offering a broad array of initial healthcare services and are usually the first people you meet when something is wrong with your body. Primary care physicians are trained to prevent, diagnose, and treat illnesses and injuries common to the general population. A primary care physician offers comprehensive care to the patients and determines if a patient should be referred to a specialist. They specialize in primary medicine, family medicine, and pediatrics and are usually employed by families for the long-term.
Why is it important to have a primary care physician?
If you have not already understood by now, a primary care physician specializes in general health care. Apart from being the first responders in any health problem, primary care physicians are also in pole position to discover an underlying disease and recommend specialist attention. Here are a few other reasons why you should consider visiting one.
- Discovering underlying diseases: There is a high chance that the cough you have been nursing for the last week is nothing more than a cough. But there is an equal chance that the cough could be Asthma or something entirely different. Understanding the difference between a common health problem and symptoms of a chronic disease can make the difference between life and death. A primary care physician can discover underlying conditions even if there are no symptoms.
- Recommending and Coordinating with specialists: A primary care physician determines whether you need specialist attention. Not only do they recommend you to specialists, but they also coordinate between them. Since a primary care physician understands how different medicines interact, they can recommend different medications if you experience any side-effects or allergic reactions.
- Understanding the family history: When it comes to diseases, genetics play a huge role. If your entire family has anemia, then chances are you have it too. Since a whole family shares the same physician, they have an innate grasp of a family’s medical history. Understanding the family history allows a primary care physician to respond quickly in times of emergency. Since they already know what to look for, they can quickly prescribe a solution.
- A single stop for better health: A primary care physician has general knowledge about virtually everything that goes on in a human body. From providing immediate health care during times of emergency to prescribing health tips for staying in shape, a primary health care physician has all-sorts of tools in his arsenal.
Are all primary physicians the same?
Yes and No. Even though all primary care physicians specialize in offering primary healthcare for everyday health problems, there are different kinds of doctors who provide primary care.
Family doctors: These doctors specialize in taking care of the entire family, from your grandad to your newborn. They are knowledgeable about health problems across different age groups and are also well-versed in a family’s medical history. Above all, family doctors specialize in taking care of children.
- Internal Medicine experts: Internists are primary care doctors who specialize in treating adults. An internist is knowledgeable in several fields of adult medicine, from endocrinology to geriatrics and rehabilitation.
- Pediatricians: A pediatrician focuses on the general well-being of children until they are 18 years of age. Pediatricians are knowledgeable on matters related to babies, children, and young adults.
- Geriatricians: Geriatricians focus on providing primary care to the aged population. They are trained to care for older adults suffering from dementia, hearing or vision loss, insomnia, arthritis, heart failure, and a few others.
- Obstetrician-gynecologists (OB-GYN): A OB-GYN focuses on providing primary health care for females. They specialize in obstetrics and gynecology and are often referred to during pregnancies.
Similar to how hiring a primary care physician is important, hiring the right kind of physician is crucial. While all primary care physicians are adept at providing general care, some are better equipped to deal with specific problems than others.
A primary care physician is your first line of defense during any health problem. They are not only experts on providing general care but are also knowledgeable of a patient’s history, past medical records, and family history. This puts a primary care provider in pole position to respond during a health crisis.
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