Find top-rated doctors in Long Beach, CA

How do I book primary care in Long Beach?

Sesame offers convenient and affordable in-person and video primary care visits in Long Beach, California. So whether you are looking for a routine check-up or have concerning symptoms you want medical attention for, Sesame has you covered.

To book a visit:

• Search “Primary Care” in Sesame’s search bar
  
• Browse the list of available providers near you
  
• Choose between video and in-person services
  
• Pick a time that works best for your schedule
  
• Book your visit!
  
  

Yep, it’s that easy. We recommend in-person visits for routine check-ups, chronic condition consultations, and lab testing. Video visits are used to address symptoms, discuss prescriptions, and screen for certain conditions.

Primary care is the cornerstone of health care. Establishing a relationship with a trusted provider can help you get individualized care tailored to your medical needs and personal history. Don’t wait to get the personal care you need. Book a primary care visit with the best doctors in your area and save up to 60% on your appointment.

What is a primary care provider?

Primary care providers (PCPs) are the cornerstone of our healthcare system, playing an essential role in preventative and routine care. They’re there to help you manage chronic conditions, provide follow-up care after a hospital visit or check up on your overall well-being. They offer a range of services, such as preventive health screenings, diagnosis, and management of acute and chronic illnesses, ordering laboratory tests and interpreting results, prescribing medications when necessary, providing counseling on lifestyle changes to improve health outcomes, coordinating referrals to other healthcare professionals or specialized services when needed. They also provide education about healthy living habits that can help prevent illness in the future.

Primary care providers have undergone at least 11 years of education and training before practicing medical care. A primary care doctor must:

• Complete a 4-year medical degree from an accredited school
  
• Must pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)
  
• Residency training to specialize in family medicine, internal medicine, or pediatrics
  
• Board certification in primary care specialties such as family practice and internal medicine
  
• Keep up with continuing medical education requirements
  
• Obtain additional specialized training if needed
  
  

This extensive training allows these physicians to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions. There are, however, subspecialties of primary care. While all primary care providers have completed a medical degree and residency, they can receive specialized training to provide more specific care for certain patients.

What conditions do primary care providers treat?

PCPs offer many medical services to treat various conditions and concerns.

Some services provided by a PCP include:

• Acute illness (e.g., bacterial infection) treatment
  
• Chronic condition management such as diabetes, asthma, or high blood pressure
  
• Regular preventative care screenings and physical exams
  
• Minor injury treatment such as stitching a wound or setting a broken bone
  
• Treatment of common illnesses such as colds, sore throats, and ear infections
  
• Diagnosis and treatment for skin conditions such as acne, eczema, or rashes
  
• Immunizations
  
  

Some specific conditions that a PCP can treat include:

• Cold, flu, and other acute illnesses
  
• UTIs and other vaginal infections
  
• Rashes, warts, moles, and other skin conditions
  
• Erectile dysfunction (ED) or premature ejaculation (PE)
  
• Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2)
  
• High blood pressure
  
• High cholesterol
  
• Developmental disorders
  
• Depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions
  
  

Do I need an annual physical exam?

Annual physical examinations are vital to helping your primary care physician keep track of your wellness and are a crucial preventive measure. Routine checkups are easy, relatively non-invasive, and provide a helpful picture of your general health. It is recommended that an adult gets a complete physical exam every year to screen for cancer and test for conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.

Some standard tests performed by doctors during a routine physical include:

• Vital sign checks
  
• Percussion tests
  
• Visual examinations
  
• Eyesight tests
  
• Hearing tests
  
• Cancer screenings
  
  

Annual physical exams do not prevent disease or health conditions but should be considered a part of a healthy lifestyle along with regular exercise, a healthy diet, and sleep. A routine checkup with your primary care physician once a year can help catch abnormalities or signs of disease before they become serious.