Primary care physicians (or primary care providers) treat and diagnose a wide range of medical conditions while providing medical advice to improve general well-being. From chronic conditions to common colds, primary care providers are often the first doctor you will go to see for healthcare.
Some services a primary care provider can provide include:
- Routine check-ups
- Immunizations (including the COVID-19 vaccine)
- Urgent care (treatment for non-life-threatening health concerns)
- Chronic disease management
- Medication prescription
- Heart disease screening
- Hypertension (high blood pressure) tests
- Sports medicine (treatment for sprains, breaks, and bruises)
- Birth control health care
- Wellness/ weight loss advice
Some issues require special training to diagnose and treat. If a primary care provider believes that a condition requires further treatment, they will give a patient a referral for a qualified specialist. Specialists have advanced training to treat specific conditions/ parts of the body.
Some examples of specialists includes:
- ENTs (Ear, Nose & Throat doctors)
- OB/GYNs (doctors who treat issues related to women's health)
- Pediatricians (doctors who manage care for children)
- Orthopedics (doctors who treat issues related to the muscles and skeleton)
- Dermatologists (doctors who treat issues related to skin, hair, and nails)
- Podiatrists (doctors who treat issues 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)
Primary care providers are usually the first doctors you will see for any health-related issue you may be having. In some cases, you can't even see a specialist without a referral from a primary care provider. If your primary care doctor believes that you need to see a specialist, they will give you a referral for a specialist with specific qualifications. Primary care providers and specialists will then work together on your health plan to give you complete treatment options.
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