For many people, going to the doctor is a consideration only if they are feeling sick. If you think the same way, you may be missing out on a range of healthcare services that can improve your health and well-being, and help you live longer.
A primary care provider should be seen regularly, even when you are not presenting any symptoms. Primary care consists of a range of healthcare services that involve treatment, management, and prevention. Let’s talk further about what makes primary care important.
A Primary Care Doctor Provides Comprehensive Care
Primary care doctors have broad knowledge and residency training that allows them to treat patients of all ages. A primary care doctor may practice family medicine or internal medicine, or another medical specialty within primary care. With a comprehensive approach, they emphasize disease prevention through patient education, health screenings and immunizations, and lifestyle recommendations.
Primary care doctors get to know their patients and build a long-term relationship with them, and through this, they can further customize and enhance their recommendations. They can tailor a treatment plan according to your lifestyle, existing medical conditions, and health and wellness goals. One study found that adding 10 primary care doctors to serve a population of 100,000 people increases average life expectancy by 51 days. Mortality is higher in communities with fewer primary care physicians.
A Primary Care Doctor Coordinates Your Care
Primary care doctors keep up with all aspects of medical care, diagnoses, and treatments for patients. While your primary care doctor can treat many health conditions, they can recommend the right specialist for you in case you need specialized care for a complex health condition, all while coordinating your overall care.
Chronic Disease Management is a Primary Care Service
Chronic diseases like heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, and arthritis can severely impact the quality of life and potentially shorten it. Primary care doctors provide chronic disease management services to make it easier to live a normal life despite their condition, especially when a patient has been diagnosed with more than one chronic disease. Check-ups, medication management, and health screenings are important for monitoring and coordinating treatment.
Preventive Services are Provided at the Primary Level
Annual and wellness checkups are done by primary care doctors. During these checkups, the doctor will get a clear picture of your overall health. The doctor will check your weight, heartbeat, blood pressure, vision, and hearing, and examine your head and neck, palpate your abdomen, and order a blood test and urinalysis.
This is the perfect time to discuss your health concerns and ask any questions you may have about your health. The doctor will be able to detect any abnormalities and order additional tests, as well as recommended health screenings and vaccinations, based on your risk factors. Regular visits to the primary care doctor can help detect health conditions early before they become more serious and while they are still highly treatable.
Primary Care Services in The Bronx, NY
The relationship you have with your primary care doctor has a big impact on your health and well-being. Dr. Newaz Hossain at Starling Diagnostics is a board-certified internal medicine doctor who can provide you with comprehensive, high-quality primary care services. From diagnostics to health screenings and vaccinations, our facility is well-equipped to meet all your needs.
Dr. Hossain is a primary care physician in the Bronx known for his good bedside manner. He advocates for his patients’ health. If you have any questions or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Hossain, call our clinic at (718) 319-1610 or use our appointment request form.
