How Can Primary Care Help You?
Who is Your Primary Care Provider?
You are often asked at a doctor’s office, “who is your primary care physician?” I hope that you can always answer this question. A primary care physician helps you navigate all of your healthcare needs ranging from a sprained ankle to the management of hypertension or diabetes. For children, this may be a pediatrician or family medicine provider. For adults it may be a family medicine or internal medicine provider.
A PCP is able to see you as a total person and not just one organ system. Their board certification requires a broad knowledge in all specialty areas. This becomes very important when you start juggling several medications or specialists that are involved in your care. Your PCP will manage your chronic conditions using evidence-based care to maximize your health. From newborns to the elderly, everyone should see a PCP.
Overall Wellness
Primary care focuses on your overall wellness. Our goal is to help educate and encourage a healthy lifestyle that includes a focus on exercise and nutrition. Weight can oftentimes be a frustration, and your PCP can assist with weight management. At your annual wellness visit not only will your PCP discuss healthy lifestyle behaviors but will also encourage general health screenings depending on your age including the importance of immunizations, cancer screenings and cardiovascular screenings. Your primary care physician can also help navigate the perimenopausal and menopausal years and may discuss hormone therapy as well as other modalities to help ease the symptoms.
Your Body as a Whole
Your primary care physician understands how each body system can affect the other. For instance, you may present with a cough that is not going away. Your PCP will try to decide if that cough is due to an infectious process, sinus or allergy issues, asthma, heartburn, medication side effects or something more worrisome, like breast or colon cancer. Another example may be presenting with fatigue. Again, your PCP will try to decide if there is evidence of a medical problem, such as a thyroid issue, diabetes, anemia, cardiovascular source or if there could be underlying depression, anxiety or stress that is causing fatigue. If the answer is unclear, a referral may be placed to assist with the diagnosis.
What PCPs Treat
I also hear “I didn’t know you can do that?” Your PCP can perform many procedures, such as full skin checks and biopsies, wart treatment, joint injections, orthopedic injury management, vasectomies and many in-office gynecologic procedures, such as IUDs. Many of our providers are trained in these areas, so if your PCP does not perform a certain procedure, they can refer you to someone in the clinic that does. We would like to serve all of your health care needs.
Your Partner in Healthcare
The most important aspect of a primary care physician is that that person gets to know you and how you want to address your body and your health. The PCP should be your partner in healthcare to advise and instruct as well as to listen and reflect on your health needs.
I hope you have an answer to the question of “who is your PCP?” If not, I challenged you to form a relationship with the primary care provider. Schedule your annual wellness visit for you and your family today.
Dr. Sandra Beulke, MD
Dr. Beulke joined Lakeview Clinic in April 2003. She provides the full spectrum of Family Medicine, including pediatric care, adolescent and adult medicine, geriatric care, and gynecology. Throughout her practice, she emphasizes a patient-centered approach, shared decision making, and establishing a partnership with each of her patients regarding their care.