The Importance of Having a Primary Care Physician

Want to stay healthy throughout your life?

Get a doctor! It sounds basic, but one of the best things you can do for your health is to build a relationship with a primary care physician who knows you and can help manage your health over the years.

At Physicians Medical Primary Care, this medicine is built into our name. Here are a few reasons why we think having a primary care physician in your life is important. 

You’ll have a doctor who knows you

You’ll build a long-term relationship with your primary care provider. They will be the first person you talk to when you have a medical question or problem (as long as it’s not an emergency). They’ll get to know you, your current health, your medical history, your family’s medical history, your lifestyle, and any treatment preferences you have.

Because they see you repeatedly, they’ll have a full picture of your health, which will help them treat you optimally to prevent issues and manage any problems you have.

You’ll get preventative care

One of the main reasons to have a primary care doctor is so they can provide preventative care. The best way to be healthy is not to become sick in the first place. Preventative care tries to accomplish that goal by starting with annual exams to check for any issues. They’ll also recommend screenings and vaccines that are indicated by your age and health. These can include colonoscopies, mammograms, flu vaccines, and more.

Seeing your doctor every year will allow them to catch any issues while they’re still small before they can cause major problems.

You’ll have access to specialists

If you do encounter a major health issue, your primary care provider will act as the quarterback of your health team. They can refer you to any necessary specialists, and because they know you so well, they can give your new provider a complete picture of your health and the situation.

You’ll save time and money

Having a primary care physician will save you time and money as well. You’ll have an easy first point of contact whenever you need medical care — you won’t have to waste time wondering who to call or where to go.

Because your physician will also help you manage chronic diseases (such as diabetes or high blood pressure), they’ll also keep you in better health, saving you money over time. They’ll also be able to reduce the risk of complications by managing your prescriptions and observing your reactions to new medications.

If you need a primary care physician, we’d love to have you as part of the Physicians Medical Primary Care family. Just call one of our San Jose-area locations or use our online schedulers to book your own appointment anytime!