4 Reasons You Need a Primary Care Doctor to Manage Your Health

It doesn’t matter how old you are or how fit and active you are, and there are several reasons you should have a primary care doctor. 

Just like going back to the comfort of your childhood home, there is a sense of reliability and trust in having a physician as your primary health care. Doctors, doctor’s assistants, and nurses all offer you primary medical care specializing in internal medicine, concierge care, 24/7 telehealth, house calls, and much more. 

So, why do you need to see a primary health care physician? 

A primary medical care physician can act as your everyday healthcare provider. Additionally, they can act as a family physician that provides you with all your preventive care needs. For example, you can rely on them if your child is affected by the seasonal flu or when you need to take care of an elderly in your home. 

And when you have an instant go-to for your every healthcare need, it isn’t just helpful but highly advantageous. Keep reading and learn more about the benefits of having a primary care physician in your life. 

You’ll Live a Healthier Life.

Well-known research led by the researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine and Harvard Medical School states that more comprehensive access to basic medical care is directly related to the longer life expectancy. 

How does having a basic medical care physician make you healthier? Two of the most important reasons a primary care doctor gives you preventive care and helps you manage any chronic illnesses. 

 — Preventive Care: Identifying and Treating Health Problems at an Early Stage

So, what exactly is preventive care, and how does it work? Preventative care is all the necessary steps you take to help you from getting sick. 

Additionally, it also helps you find a health issue at an early stage, which makes it a lot easier to treat them in the future. Those who are working along with medical care always stay up-to-date with the changes their bodies are going through

— Management of Chronic Health Conditions

When you have medical aid to manage a chronic illness like diabetes or high blood pressure, it’s always better to have a medical expert by your side as they can work these conditions for you. 

Plus, periodic checkups assist you in monitoring any changes your body is going through due to age or any other health condition. This means you are less likely to get hospitalized at the end of the day.

You Get to Minimize Your Health Care Expenses 

Since preventive aid is heavily tied to health improvement and lower costs, several preventive health care services are covered by insurance companies. And when you are visiting your primary medical care doctor for routine checkups, immunizations, and screenings, you are more likely to avoid expensive care and prescriptions later on. 

But even when preventive care is covered, numerous studies state that only half of Americans are getting the preventative care they should be receiving. Adding to the health benefits, anyone with a primary health care doctor will generally have 33 percent lower health care costs. 

For instance, depending on your present health condition, your medical care doctor may advise you to initiate a diabetes screen at the age of 40. As you are familiar with, diabetes is a condition when your blood sugar level starts to exceed the standard limit, which can cause severe damage to your organs and blood vessels and can further lead to severe health problems. 

Additionally, a diabetes screening estimates your blood sugar levels before any other symptom arises. It helps to find out prediabetes and diabetes at an early stage when it is far easier to manage by making healthy lifestyle changes and saving future medications. It further helps in reducing the risk of you getting involved in the complexities that may increase your insurance premiums and lead to extensive health care costs. 

Saves Your Time

Saving time is another advantage you get with primary care physicians. It’s because they can address multiple health requirements in one meeting. As mentioned above, your medical aid often provides you a screening, checkup, and any immunizations you need in just one appointment. 

And while you are at it, you can ask the doctor about any medical query you have regarding your health. By taking complete advantage of your medical aid’s wide range of expertise, you can get your health questions answered quickly – and in few cases, you might get treatment on the very day of the appointment.  

You’ll Always Have a Trusted Healthcare Advisor With You.

Besides being a health expert, your primary health care physician can act as your health advocate. 

The relationship you cultivate with your primary health doctor can prove valuable in several other ways. For instance, your primary medical doctor has all your medical history and understands your lifestyle better than anyone else. As a result, they can give you better advice on how to stay in the coming years of your life. This will help you achieve your long-term health goals. 

Having a personal relationship with your doctor can also help you feel more comfortable sharing private information and asking questions. 

So, what should and can you ask your primary health care doctor? The answer is simple, anything and everything. 

When you discuss your health with your medical aid, there is no such thing as you can’t discuss(regarding your health). Even if you feel embarrassed, there are huge chances that other patients have asked them the same questions already. 

And don’t forget when you have a personal medical aid, you are not starting from scratch every time you see a doctor. Your medical assistance is already familiar with your health history, so you won’t have to go through the same thing repeatedly. 

In Conclusion

Your primary care physician is your health executive who knows your body better than you. With their help, you can stay fit and active and increase your life expectancy considerably. Moreover, if you are suffering from a chronic health condition, they can help you take better care of those problems. You are further improving your chances of living a healthier and happier life.