The Many Patient Benefits of Having a Primary Care Doctor

Do you know which doctor to call if you get sick? What about if you need a physical or a check-up?

If one name popped into your head, chances are, you have a primary care provider. If not, it may be time for you to find one.

A primary care doctor is a specialist in family medicine, internal medicine, or sometimes pediatrics who is your first point of contact for any health-related questions or issues you have. Primary care providers are very important for good health outcomes; in fact, research has shown the more primary care providers there are in the United States, the longer our life expectancy.

Here at Voss Family Clinic, Dr. Jinny Narula and our entire team work hard to be the best primary care providers possible for you and your family. Here are a few of the benefits you’ll see from working with us.

Continuity of care

Having one main provider who knows you and your health history is invaluable when you face medical issues. You can build this relationship over time by going to your primary care provider for your check-ups each year. As they get to know you, they develop a comprehensive picture of your health so when issues arise, they can diagnose the problem and recommend treatment. 

When your primary care provider has to refer you to a specialist, they always get a copy of the specialist’s findings, and the two work together to develop a plan for your continuing care. Plus, you have peace of mind knowing that your doctor has your back and can advocate for you at all levels of the health care system.

Preventative care

The more aware your primary care provider is of your overall health condition, the more effective they are in spotting early signs of any health issues. Because they know your baseline health level, they are able to easily tell what has changed since your last visit. This can lead to early detection of potential problems, when they are easier to treat. If your doctor doesn’t catch problems early, they can become much more serious and detrimental to your health.

Visiting your primary care doctor regularly also helps them implement other preventative measures, including proactive lifestyle changes you may need to make, and vaccines and screenings you may need to protect you from disease.

Medication management

With 70% of Americans taking at least one prescription a day and those who take multiple prescriptions increasing as well, having a primary care doctor oversee your medication management can be a lifesaver — literally. Your doctor will be able to recognize and prevent any potentially harmful drug interactions from prescriptions you may have gotten from other specialists. They can also make adjustments to your prescriptions based on any reactions or side effects you may experience.

If you need a primary care provider so you can access these benefits, our team at Voss Family Clinic would be honored to serve you. To make an appointment with us, call our Sugar Land office or use our online scheduler to book a time. We’ll get you on track for better health!