When you experience an unexpected rash, sudden flu-like symptoms, or troublesome back and neck pain, who should you contact first? In most cases, the answer is a family physician. The exception is obviously medical emergencies. Unfortunately, numerous Americans visit the emergency room for mild health concerns. Integrated Family Medical Center is a primary source of healthcare as it specializes in family medicine. You and your family can build a solid relationship with your family doctor to ensure you receive quality care. Continue reading to learn about the many benefits of having a family doctor.
- Family Doctors Provide Lifelong Care
Unlike other specialties that focus on a specific age, a family doctor can treat the entire family, including infants, toddlers, adolescents, and adults. Besides, it is common for family medicine physicians to handle their patients for decades.
These doctors also have the training and experience to handle a broad range of health concerns, which means they can serve as your primary care practitioner at any point in your life. This continuity of care helps you develop a great relationship with your practitioner that will last a lifetime.
- Family Doctors Understand Your Individual And Family Health History
Once a practitioner effectively treats you for years or even decades, they develop a comprehensive understanding of you and your health history. This understanding helps your physician to make a precise diagnosis and closely monitor you for any warning signs or changes in your routine health screenings. As such, family doctors are quite effective in preventative care.
Besides monitoring your health history, family medicine physicians may learn about what transpires in their patient’s private life. For instance, if a parent loses their job, the doctor can accurately examine their anxiety and stress.
- Family Doctors Do More Than Routine Checks
Although family practitioners conduct yearly exams, they also help patients navigate chronic health concerns like arthritis, asthma, diabetes, and cardiovascular illness. Besides, your family doctor can treat your acute health concerns, including injuries and infections, and support you through stressful times. If necessary, your doctor can also help you make necessary lifestyle adjustments to improve your general well-being.
- Family Doctors Offer A More Precise Diagnosis
Your friend or a little internet search might make you self-diagnose yourself, especially if you have a mild health issue. However, this self-diagnosis may be less accurate because of numerous factors and variables between one patient and another. For instance, what might be a simple cough might be a more serious issue, like asthma, in another individual. Family doctors undergo years of schooling and training, which makes them effectively diagnose treatments and offer tailored care plans.
- Family Doctors Will Help You Find A Specialist
Occasionally, issues emerge that require consultation with or treatment from a specialist. Such health concerns may include serious issues like cancer and heart illness. When you or somebody in your family develops such concerns, your family doctor can connect you with somebody who matches your care needs and personality.
Visiting a family doctor has numerous advantages for your general health and the well-being of your family. In fact, studies demonstrate that having a physician who oversees all aspects of one’s health has numerous advantages. Some of the many benefits of seeing your family doctor are greater patient satisfaction, reduced death rates, and improved patient-doctor relationships. Furthermore, when you see the same doctor for years, you develop trust in them, which allows you to disclose crucial information that your doctor can use to diagnose and treat your concerns.
