The Importance of Having a Primary Care Physician
Posted in Uncategorized on March 1, 2019
When you think about healthy people, the first thought likely isn’t about how often they visit their PCP (primary care physician). That said, if you do not currently have a primary care doctor, you might not think much about choosing one. But the honest truth is not just any PCP is the best for you. When it comes to your health, well-being, and longevity, you may want to put more thought into it. You have to keep in mind that this person will be your guide in health. You want to choose someone you prefer because they understand where you’re coming from.
Why is My Primary Care Physician Important?
To answer this question, you need to think about your health from an outside perspective. Sure, you feel healthy now, but when was the last time you had your A1C checked? Your BMI? Your cholesterol or blood pressure? If you don’t know and don’t often visit a PCP (or even have one), that matters.
A physician that genuinely cares about what makes you who you are is imperative. People count on you, they want you around for a long time, and they probably don’t want to take care of you at an early age. The better care you take of yourself now, the longer you’ll be independent and able to spend time with loved ones.
In order for that to happen, most humans need an expert, or in this case a PCP. The countless individuals that rely on, trust, and value their doctors realize this. Oftentimes we don’t see the big health picture until our primary care physician explains it to us. However, once we do, and we can see our health potential, it makes for much happier, healthier, and meaningful lives.
If I’m Not Sick, Why Should I Visit a Doctor?
Even at our peak feelings of healthiness, there can still be underlying issues that we don’t show any symptoms of.
Story: Recently, a patient was in a car accident and needed X-rays on their neck and back. After the initial X-ray, the tech asked the patient if they’d had thyroid issues since it looked enlarged on the scan. The patient never had any issues. Fast forward a few visits, ultrasounds, and biopsies and turned out the patient had stage II thyroid cancer. No symptoms, no visible swelling, nothing. That patient’s life was forever changed and they never even had any symptoms. Successful removal of the thyroid and surrounding lymph nodes means this patient is still alive and kicking today.
Granted, this is an unusual case, but these types of things happen more often than you may think. And that’s just the ones we know of. A PCP will provide you with preventative care and diagnose and treat medical conditions. If a situation requires it, a referral to a specialist might be in order, she can do that as well. Dr. Colbert can also recommend healthier lifestyle choices to help you succeed. She will also be able to prescribe your monthly medications and keep track of all of your labs.
It’s All About Improving Your Quality of Life
Once they find a primary care physician they like, most patients remain with them for years, if not life. Getting to know your personality, your family, and all of your physical ins and outs, a PCP can really offer optimal insight into your life. If you think about it, the relationship that’s built with a life-long primary care physician is one of the most important you’ll have.
Whether its’ short-term illness, chronic conditions, or someone to refer you to medical experts in their field, your PCP is ultimately important and necessary in your life.
Don’t have a PCP? Schedule a first-time appointment with Dr. Colbert today. Dr. Colbert is a medical internist and specializes in diabetes, heart health, and women’s health care.
