5 Life-Changing Benefits of Primary Care

Man and son ride bike

A primary care provider is your partner in lifelong health. They help you better manage chronic diseases and feel more satisfied with your care.

Their training lets them treat you and your family during all the stages of life — from early childhood through the senior years. All along the way, they’ll care for you as a whole person: body, mind and spirit.

Here are five important ways building a relationship with a primary care provider can improve health care for you and your family.

1. Continuity

It’s important to visit your primary care physician annually for a routine checkup to ensure you are healthy and to keep an eye on any chronic illnesses. Having a single physician who has seen you for everything from headaches to immunizations to blood pressure control means having a health resource who knows your health history. When you have an appointment, you don't have to explain that there's heart disease in your family or list the medications you're taking — it’s all in your medical record already.

2. Convenience

Within a primary care practice, you can access a wide variety of health services like preventive care and screenings, plus care for chronic conditions such as asthma, hypertension and diabetes, as well as acute care for problems like coughs and high fever.

AdventHealth has also created greater convenience within the health system with the recent installation of Epic, a single, integrated electronic health record (EHR) and revenue cycle management system. With this implementation, health records will be easily accessible regardless of the care setting in which a patient interacts with the health system, fostering greater efficiency and coordination.

3. Preventive Care

Your primary care doctor can help you avoid health problems. Based on the doctor’s examination and your medical history, he or she can determine whether you're at increased risk for conditions like diabetes, cancer and heart disease. Then, they can help you take steps to help prevent them from developing.

4. Early Detection

Regular checkups and contact with a single physician mean you can catch health issues early when they're most treatable.

5. Better Communication

When you know your doctor and their staff, visits are less stressful and more productive. It’s easier to talk about sensitive issues with someone you know in a familiar setting than with a stranger in a new place.

How to Prep for your Primary Care Visit

Unfortunately, we often let hurry, worry or embarrassment keep us from getting what we need from a physician visit. So, how can you maximize one-on-one time with your doctor? Try these tips:

Make a List

Before your appointment, jot down the two or three things you want to ask the doctor so you don’t forget.

Be Specific

Be prepared to describe your symptoms in as much detail as possible. If you're having knee pain, for example, explain what it feels like and when it occurs. Is it sharp or dull? Is it constant or does it come and go?

Get Medicines Checked

If you take several medications that have been prescribed by different doctors, bring a list of them or bring the pill bottles with you.

Speak Up

Don't leave your biggest worry for the end of the visit. Mention major concerns early to be sure there's time to answer your questions.

Don't Try to Be Your Own Doctor

It’s good to do research, but resist jumping to conclusions about your condition.

Summarize What You’ve Learned

Before the doctor leaves the room, ask for the opportunity to repeat back the main things you learned during your visit to help ensure you understood everything fully.

Take Charge of Your Health

If you need a primary care physician, we can help. With multiple locations across Northwest Georgia, AdventHealth Gordon, AdventHealth Murray and AdventHealth Redmond offer exceptional primary care close to home.

Choose the health content that’s right for you, and get it delivered right in your inbox.

Recent News

12 items. To interact with these items, press Control-Option-Shift-Right Arrow. These items are in a slider. To advance slider forward, press Shift-Command-Right Arrow. To advance slider backward, press Shift-Command-Left Arrow.
News
Freedom from Back Pain

Nancy Raulerson, an 83-year-old grandmother, remains active and adventurous despite undergoing spinal surgeries in 2023 and 2024. Her love for travel has taken her to places like Hawaii, Branson...

Read Article about "Freedom from Back Pain "
News
AdventHealth Redmond to host AngioScreen bus

AdventHealth Redmond is hosting the AngioScreen bus from 8 am to 3 pm, Monday, Dec. 9. The AngioScreen bus will be parked in front of the main entrance of AdventHealth Redmond. An AngioScreen is a...

Read Article about "AdventHealth Redmond to host AngioScreen bus"
News
AdventHealth Redmond to host AngioScreen bus

AdventHealth Redmond is hosting the AngioScreen bus from 8 am to 3 pm., Tuesday, November 5. The AngioScreen bus will be parked in front of the main entrance of AdventHealth Redmond. An AngioScreen is...

Read Article about "AdventHealth Redmond to host AngioScreen bus"
News
Catching Breast Cancer

Tracy Ruckman didn’t always do monthly breast self-exams as often as she knew she should have, typically only when she remembered. This is why she is so thankful she remembered to do an exam at the...

Read Article about "Catching Breast Cancer "
News
Living Alone and Staying Connected

Living alone can have many benefits, such as having more freedom, privacy and personal space. However, it can also pose some challenges for your mental health if you feel isolated, lonely or...

Read Article about "Living Alone and Staying Connected"
News
Let’s Talk About Men’s Health

Did you know one out of eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime? The American Cancer Society (ACS) informs us that prostate cancer is the most common cancer aside from skin...

Read Article about "Let’s Talk About Men’s Health"
View More Articles