When they hear the term “primary care,” most people simply associate it with their regular, go-to medical practitioner.
Indeed, the short definition of “primary care” is that of health care service provided by a primary care physician (PCP) who is your initial medical point of contact, offering access to the information and resources you need to become and stay healthy.
However, there is much more to defining primary care than that.
A Broader Definition of Primary Care
The principal goal of primary care is to improve public health by providing easy access to medical care. Focused on the whole patient – rather than a specific illness or disease – it emphasizes preventive care, health maintenance, counseling, and patient education as a way of improving one’s overall health and wellbeing.
In general, primary care is patient-centered, team-based, community aligned, and specifically designed to achieve better health and lower costs. Its chief provider is, of course, your primary care physician, who is specifically trained in comprehensive, first-contact, and continuing care for patients with any undiagnosed signs, symptoms, or health concerns.
However, there are also diverse types of primary care providers, including nurse practitioners, internal medicine doctors, family practice doctors, and other specialists, such as obstetrician/gynecologists (OB/GYNs), pediatricians, and geriatricians, who provide diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses in a variety of settings, including in-office, inpatient, critical care, long-term care, home care, and online (telemedicine). The best primary care practitioners are those that work as a team to keep their patients at the center of their diagnostic and treatment activities and help them navigate the often-complicated health care system.
The Benefits of Primary Care
Primary care offers more than just increased access to healthcare services and improved quality of health care. With its focus on preventive health, it provides better medical outcomes for patients, resulting in fewer hospitalizations and less need for secondary healthcare services which, in turn, reduces the financial burden on the public health system.
In addition, primary care provides:
- Early intervention that helps prevent health conditions from developing
- Improved patient/doctor relationships
- Continuity of service from a PCP who knows your history
- Reduced need for sub-specialist care
A recent, extensive study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that adults with primary care were much more likely to fill more of their prescriptions and have routine preventive care visits. In addition, they were far more likely to receive high-value care, such as mammography, colorectal cancer screening, and other life-saving cancer screenings.
That’s why it is important to consider your health needs and conditions when choosing a primary care physician. If you have a chronic illness or complicated medical needs, you may benefit most from a primary care team that can cater to all aspects of your health care. On the other hand, if you are healthy, establishing a relationship with a PCP can be beneficial in that your doctor can get to know you and help you meet your health care goals.
Primary Care Near Me in North Bethesda, Maryland
If you are looking for exceptional primary care and the highest level of personalized concierge medicine services, look no further than board-certified internal medicine physician Dr. Adam B. Possner at North Bethesda Primary Care.
In addition to 24/7 access to comprehensive primary care, Dr. Possner offers:
- Unlimited office or virtual visits that are never rushed
- Convenient same-day or next-day appointments
- More time spent on office visits and physicals
- Acute illness visits
- Chronic care follow-ups
- Telehealth visits via electronic devices in the comfort of your home or office
To learn more about our membership-based practice and the patient-centered primary care we offer, just call our friendly and accommodating staff at (301) 941-4414 to request a complimentary meeting with Dr. Possner. We look forward to showing you what quality primary care is all about.
