Overview
Primary care is a model of healthcare that involves continuous, comprehensive monitoring of an individual’s health and well-being by a single qualified provider.
This healthcare modality is most commonly in the form of a primary care physician (general practitioner or family physician), a physician assistant, a physical therapist, or a nurse practitioner and somewhat less commonly by a dietician or social worker.
In some parts of the world, this function can be provided by other healthcare practitioners, such as registered nurses, pharmacists, and even traditional medicine practitioners.
It’s one of the most significant aspects of healthcare available as it has been shown to meet most of a person’s health needs throughout their life.
Why is Primary Care Important?
In its simplest definition, primary care is the care provided by the first person that a patient sees who has been trained in healthcare practices.[1]
This healthcare model has been shown to help prevent illness and death due to its heightened focus on individual health and disease prevention and management.[2]
On a societal level, evidence shows that primary care is associated with a more equitable distribution of health overall.[2] And there are compelling reasons for these positive impacts:
- Prevention: Your primary care practitioner is in an excellent position to assist you with preventing serious health issues as they have a complete view of your medical history, which can determine whether you’re at heightened risk of conditions like hypertension, diabetes, or heart disease.
- Early Detection: More likely, any potential health issues will be detected in time for effective treatment via regular checkups with a single healthcare professional. Early intervention can mean a treatable condition versus a poor outcome.
- Continuity: A single healthcare provider with a complete history of your health, from minor checkups to blood pressure monitoring, means that whenever you wish to access healthcare, all the information from family health history to a current list of medications already exists in one setting.
- Communication: Knowing your healthcare provider and their familiar setting makes medical visits more efficient and less stressful than having to go into a new environment with potentially sensitive issues while having to provide a complete health background.
- Convenience: Not only do you have the healthcare services of your primary care provider, but from here, any diagnostic needs, such as blood tests and ECGs, or specialty referrals, such as to a cardiologist, can be accessed from a source that is already familiar with your specific case.
What’s the Takeaway?
It is becoming increasingly important to have a primary care provider for your healthcare needs – especially as healthcare becomes more varied, complex, and often tough to navigate.
If you don’t have a primary care provider, please consider getting one. People with a medical professional as an ongoing partner in managing their well-being experience far better healthcare with early detection, better chronic disease management, and better health outcomes for the best possible quality of life.[3]
References:
- What is primary care?. (1983). Journal of public health policy, 4(2), 129–134.
- Starfield, B., Shi, L., & Macinko, J. (2005). Contribution of primary care to health systems and health. The Milbank quarterly, 83(3), 457–502. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0009.2005.00409.x
- Shi, L. (2011). The Impact of Primary Care: A Focused Review. Scientifica, 2012. https://doi.org/10.6064/2012/432892820
