More and more patients require special medical attention today, but that’s primarily the reason you should have a family doctor. General medicine typically handle cold or flu symptoms, piercing back pain, and out-of-the-blue rashes, but primary care also is also the first step to mitigating potential diseases.
With that in mind, your primary care physician can make a difference in preempting illnesses and chronic conditions.
What are the Benefits of Having a Primary Care Physician?
Benefit #1: Better Understanding of Your Family’s Medical History
Over the years of visits and medical check-ups, your primary care doctor will have a better understanding of your family’s medical history. This can give them an advantage when prescribing medicine and treatment plans that are tailor-made for your specific needs and circumstances.
Having a full overview of the personalized information in your medical history increases the chances of catching diseases early on as it enables doctors to conduct a detailed diagnosis. Direct access to your family’s medical history is also an excellent preventive measure that can combat early signs of chronic conditions.
Benefit #2: Patient-Physician Relationship
Having a primary care physician promotes continuity of care for the entire family, which means that your doctor can provide comprehensive care no matter the age of the patient. It also establishes trust, allowing the patient to grow familiar with the primary care doctor over frequent, routine check-ups.
This helps family doctors create a detailed snapshot of the patient’s help, allowing a team of professionals to establish an accurate diagnosis. Your primary doctor also works with other healthcare professionals to collaborate on your needs, allowing them to keep track of any special treatment you receive down the line.
Benefit #3: Medication Management
Many people are taking at least one prescription drug. It’s also possible to undergo different medications from different specialized healthcare professionals, which creates a concern for risks of side effects in cases where the drugs clash with each other.
Fortunately, a primary care physician can act as a gatekeeper that can analyze your medication to ensure it won’t negatively interact with each other. Modern technology also equips them with record systems that automatically flag drugs that may be contradicting to your health.
Not to mention, they can also take note of the changes in dosages or the frequency of your intake to help you and your family manage your medication regimen.
What is the Role of a Primary Care Physician?
A primary doctor is a key member of your health care team as they specialize in family medicine and internal medicine for all ages. With the exception of emergency accidents and attacks, a family doctor is your first point of contact for general check-ups or when you encounter any concerning symptoms.
They are responsible for keeping your health in check, so every visit updates your family health records and ensures that every aspect garners equal attention. This means that every member of your family – from children to the elderly – can stay up-to-date with their medical status and obtain care under one roof.
If you are looking for a primary care doctor in New Jersey to advise you on your general health, get in touch with us today to see how we can help.