If you’re someone who only visits a doctor when you’re sick, you may not have a primary care physician (PCP). But whether you’re perfectly healthy most of the time, or you have chronic health issues, you can still benefit from having one. A PCP truly is a partner who will be with you in sickness and health.
What Is a PCP?
A PCP is your main doctor — like the captain of your personal health care team. Your PCP is the doctor you can contact for general health care needs. They’re also the most important point of contact when you need special care.
Primary care physicians provide general medical care in an outpatient setting. They often specialize in:
- Family medicine, providing care for men and women, ranging in age from young children through older adults, including entire families.
- Internal medicine, caring for adults with a focus on chronic disease prevention and management.
- Geriatrics, providing care for older adults who often develop more complex medical conditions and multiple chronic illnesses as they age.
- Obstetrics and gynecology, specializing in areas of women’s health like reproductive care, breast and pelvic health, menopause, and more.
- Pediatrics, caring for children up to age 18 with a focus on general well-being and parental advice.
You can think of your PCP’s office as your health care home. You should visit your PCP regularly for preventive care and treatment of acute and chronic conditions, as they can help keep your health on the right track.
Your PCP has training and experience with many common medical problems. These can include acute illnesses like strep throat, an ear infection, or a pulled muscle. They also provide care for chronic illnesses like diabetes or high blood pressure.
PCPs also can help if you have a medical condition that requires you to see a specialist. They can help you choose the right specialist, make a referral, and coordinate your care. This is a service you might not think about when you’re healthy. But if you suddenly need special testing, treatments, or hospitalization, it saves time and minimizes stress. It’s nice to know you’ll always get the proper care you need.
Prevention Keeps You Healthy
One of the main benefits of having a PCP is access to wellness services. You may not have health problems now, but your risks and concerns will change as you age. A primary care practice provides various services to help prevent chronic health issues like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Some of the services they provide include:
- Advice and education about health conditions and a healthy lifestyle.
- Advice on mental health or sleep problems.
- Physicals.
- A review of your family history and a conversation about your personal health risks.
- A review of — and updates for — any prescription medicines.
- Screening tests for blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol.
- Screening tests for cancer, like a mammogram or colonoscopy, depending on your age and risk factors.
- Vaccines and immunizations.
When you stay in close contact with your PCP, they know your complete health history and your risk factors. Together, you can be proactive about your health. That allows you to head off problems before they become more serious.
Having a PCP gives you peace of mind knowing someone always has your back when it comes to your health.
How to Find a PCP
There are lots of primary care providers around, and it can seem like an overwhelming task to find the right one. The best way to start is to ask friends and family for referrals. You might find the same name or practice keeps coming up.
Once you have a few names, verify that they accept your health insurance. Seeing a doctor who is part of your insurance network or who accepts your coverage can keep your out-of-pocket costs low. If you don’t have insurance, call the office and find out if they offer discounted self-pay options or assistance for low-income patients.
You may then want to schedule an in-person or virtual visit with the provider. Many offices will have options to schedule an appointment by phone or online. An initial visit can include a discussion with the provider about your health history and potentially a physical examination. It can allow you to get to know the provider and their staff and get a sense of the office atmosphere.
When choosing a PCP, you may consider many factors depending on your situation and what’s important to you. You should keep the following factors in mind:
- Availability — Is the provider available to answer questions? Can you get in touch with them by phone, or is there an online portal where you can send them a message? When you try to contact them, do they respond quickly?
- Bedside manner — How does the doctor treat you? Are they friendly? Do they answer your questions clearly, thoroughly, and professionally? Do they listen to you? Do you feel at ease interacting with them and asking them questions? Because a PCP is an important member of your health care team, finding one you’re comfortable with is important.
- Environment — What is the atmosphere like at the PCP’s office? Do the office staff make you feel comfortable?
- Hours — What days and hours are they open? Do they have flexible hours, including evenings or weekends? Are same-day appointments available?
- Location — Where is the office? Is the location close to your home or work, or is it easy to get to?
- Language — Do you have specific language needs? If so, search for an office that can support you.
- Medical needs — Do you have a chronic medical condition that requires ongoing care? Are you looking for a provider who can care for your whole family? Are you an older adult who needs specialized care? Keeping your personal medical situation in mind can help you find a PCP who meets your needs.
- Preferences — Do you feel most comfortable with a provider of a certain age range or sex, or do you have any other preferences for your care?
- Services — Does the office offer in-house lab services or urgent care services? What about health education classes or programs? Not all providers offer these services in-house, but if they’re important to you, it might make sense to find a provider who does.
- Virtual care options — Does the provider offer virtual visits if necessary? Is there an online portal where you can access test results and message your provider about them?
It may seem like a lot to consider, but that’s because it’s important to find the PCP who’s right for you. Just think about what is most important to you and start there.
If you’re looking for a PCP at UPMC, a good place to start is by visiting UPMC’s provider directory. You can filter by location, specialty, language, insurance, and other factors.
Editor's Note: This article was originally published on , and was last reviewed on .
Sources
U.S. National Library of Medicine. Medline Plus. Choosing a Primary Care Provider.
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001939.htm