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What is primary care?

Primary care is a term used to categorize several medical practices that provide continuous and comprehensive care to patients of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. Primary care providers have the clinical experience and training to diagnose, treat, and help prevent various medical issues.

A primary care provider (PCP) is a doctor or clinician who offers primary care services. PCPs are a patient's first point of contact, meaning you will likely see a PCP before seeing any other doctor in the healthcare system.

A primary care physician must undergo extensive education and training before providing medical services. A primary care physician must complete a four-year undergraduate degree, followed by a three or four-year residency in family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics/gynecology. After the residency period, most providers pursue board certification in their specialty. Certification requires the successful completion of an exam and continuing medical education credits.

Are there different types of primary care providers?

Primary care providers are sometimes known as family doctors or internists. A family doctor is a primary care provider with the training and experience to diagnose, treat, and prevent various medical conditions in patients, regardless of age or gender. An internist–or internal medicine physician–generally focuses on conditions related to the inside of the body, like high blood pressure or diabetes. An internist will primarily work with adult patients.

Pediatricians are medical doctors who specialize in the care of infants, children, and adolescents. They provide preventive health services such as immunizations and physical exams, diagnose illnesses, manage chronic conditions such as asthma or diabetes, treat injuries and infections, and offer advice on nutrition and exercise. Pediatricians also monitor their patient's growth and development throughout childhood to ensure they stay healthy into adulthood.

What conditions do primary care providers treat?

Primary care providers have thousands of hours of education and clinical experience, allowing them to diagnose, treat, and prevent thousands of medical conditions.

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
  
  

Primary Care vs. Specialization

Depending on the condition, your primary care provider may determine that specialized care is needed. They will refer you to a specialist for advanced testing and treatment methods in this case.

Types of specialists include:

• ENTs (Ear, Nose & Throat doctors)
  
• Endocrinologists (doctors who specialize in conditions related to glands and the hormones they produce)
  
• Oncologists (doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of cancers)
  
• Orthopedists (doctors who treat issues related to the muscles and skeleton)
  
• Dermatologists (doctors who treat problems related to skin, hair, and nails)
  
• Podiatrists (doctors who treat problems related to the foot, ankle, and lower leg)
  
• Neurologists (doctors who treat issues related to the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and more)
  
• Mental health care providers (such as therapists, psychiatrists, and counselors)
  
  

What diagnostic tests do primary care providers perform?

Primary care providers do more than just treat acute medical conditions. A primary care provider will perform physical examinations and lab testing to understand your wellness while screening for underlying diseases.

Typical forms of screening/ diagnostic tests include:

Vital sign tests: Doctors will often check your blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate to test your general wellness and screen for symptoms of heart disease or high blood pressure.

Visual: Doctors will mark your height and weight to calculate your body mass index, an indicator of obesity. Doctors will visually look for any problems with your skin and unusual marks or growths on the body, as these might be signs of an underlying condition. The eyes, ears, nose, and throat will also be examined.

Percussion tests: Doctors will gently tap and press areas of the body to check for unusual lumps, irregular fluid buildup, and organ location.

Blood tests: Doctors may draw blood to check cholesterol levels and blood counts. If you are at risk for diabetes, your blood sugar levels may also be tested.

Urinalysis: Doctors may request a urine sample to test for kidney and liver disease or diabetes.

Cancer screening tests: Doctors will physically examine the lymph nodes, thyroid gland, and skin for signs of cancer. Men often have their testicles and prostate checked to screen for cancer or other irregularities. Women may have a breast exam performed to screen for breast cancer.

How to Book a Primary Care Visit

Sesame offers convenient and affordable in-person and video primary care appointments in Anaheim.

Here’s how you 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!
  
  

Book a primary care visit with the best doctors in your area and save up to 60% on your appointment.