10 Reasons Why You Should Get Primary Care

Primary care is an important tool to take care of your health. Getting annual physicals, vaccinations, and routine health screenings are all beneficial aspects of primary care. However, not everyone is convinced primary care is essential. You may think that because you're healthy, you don't need primary care or a primary care provider. Even if you are healthy, you should get primary care and have a PCP. Read on to learn why primary care is a good idea, for everyone.

Why primary care is a good idea

1. A Central Point of Contact: Primary care providers help coordinate patient care all in one place. Within a PCP’s practice, you have the ability to access a wide spectrum of health services.

2. Continuity of Care: Having a PCP dramatically increases the likelihood that you’ll receive a correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Tracking your health over time enables your PCP to gain valuable information that can help you get the right care.

3. Better Preventative Care: If you come in for regular physicals instead of only coming in when you’re sick, your PCP can help educate you about your health and prevent chronic illnesses down the line. They’ll know your family history and can help you watch out for chronic illnesses your family is prone to.

4. Save Time Down the Line: Setting up a relationship with a consistent provider can help you get care more quickly should you get sick in the future.

5. A Key Resource: Your PCP should be the first person in the healthcare system that you contact when you have a question or a problem. They can provide the answers and care that you need and access any resources.

6. Lower Overall Health Care Costs: Routine appointments with your PCP may seem like a waste of time and money if you’re healthy, but studies show that routine appointments with a PCP cut overall health costs for patients.

7. A Higher Level of Satisfaction With Their Care: The more you visit a doctor you trust, the better your relationship becomes with them. For many communities, establishing a genuine connection and trust can encourage others to also seek out primary care.

8. Referrals to Other Medical Specialists: PCPs can help refer you to the right specialists when it comes to a particular need that falls outside the realm of primary care. This could refer to areas like cardiology, orthopedics, or dental care.

9. Less Hospital and ER Visits: Research shows that patients who regularly visit their primary care physicians have fewer hospitalizations and emergency visits than those who do not utilize primary care doctors. Waiting too long to see a doctor or ignoring symptoms can lead to a hospitalization or an ER visit, two of the most expensive and overwhelming outcomes for patients.

10. Better Management of Chronic Diseases: Chronic health conditions like diabetes, arthritis and lupus are often difficult to monitor by yourself. A primary care doctor can help you stay organized and aware of how your chronic disease is affecting your body. Scheduling regular visits and performing routine tests are two ways your doctor can help you better maintain your chronic disease.

How Apicha CHC can help you

At Apicha Community Health Center, we offer low-cost, inclusive, comprehensive primary care services to anyone in need. We'll set you up with a primary care provider who can cater to all your needs. You can schedule an appointment by calling (866) 274-2429 or click here. If you have more questions about becoming a new patient, click here for more information.