4 Important Reasons to See a Primary Care Provider

Many people unfortunately wait until they’re sick to find a doctor. Delaying preventative care or avoiding the doctor’s office may set you up for some unexpected health complications in the future.

That’s why it’s important to have a primary care provider (PCP). A primary care provider can be a doctor or a nurse practitioner who specializes in internal medicine or family medicine. Establishing a trusted relationship with a PCP is essential. 

Here are four reasons why you should have a primary care provider.

1. Your PCP knows you best

There are very few healthcare providers who know you as well as your primary care provider. Hopefully, your primary care provider is someone you see consistently every year, which means they know your:

• Health goals
• Lifestyle habits
• Medical history
• Medications
• Family health history
• Personality
• Preferences

Because they know you well, your PCP can help you prevent disease through proactive health screenings and lifestyle modifications. And, when something is wrong, they are more likely to catch it early because they are actively monitoring your health.

2. Your PCP manages your overall care

A primary care provider is often your first point of contact. Their role is to provide preventive care and teach healthy lifestyle choices, as well as identify and treat common medical conditions. Your provide can help:

• Ensure you are up to date on routine screenings  
• Manage your risks of developing a chronic disease
• Catch health issues early before they progress into something more serious
• Make lifestyle changes to improve your overall health
• Address any side effects of medications you’re taking

Whether you’re due for a routine screening or you’re experiencing acute symptoms related to a disease, your PCP is often your first stop and can help you determine the next steps.

3. Your PCP helps prevent disease

Primary care providers are experts in a broad range of conditions, especially when it comes to chronic disease, including:

• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol

You may not experience symptoms during the early stages of a disease, but your doctor or nurse practitioner knows exactly what to look for. Since they know the results of your routine check-ups and your risk of any hereditary diseases, they are already actively looking for early signs that may indicate a problem. As a result, PCPs can help you reduce your risk of developing a chronic condition. They also assist in mitigating potential disease complications by:

Managing your chronic conditions: Your primary care provider will help you manage chronic health conditions and will work with you to develop a treatment plan that considers your preferences, lifestyle, and condition. From support in managing medication side effects to regular follow-up, your PCP will help you prevent your condition from worsening.

Supporting your lifestyle changes: When you have a chronic disease that can be improved through diet, exercise, and other healthy habits, your primary care provider can help you to take small steps towards better health.

Referring you to a specialist: When something comes up that requires a more specialized approach, your primary care provider can reach out to our wide network of over 200 doctors across 13 specialties or refer you to an outside specialist. We work together to focus on the totality of your health. A PCP can also refer you for additional testing or screenings.

4. Your PCP can help keep you out of the hospital

By catching signs of disease early, your PCP can ensure you receive treatment before it turns into something more serious. People who don’t have a primary care provider are more likely to end up in the emergency room, which can be expensive and time-consuming.

How to find the right primary care provider

There are lots of reasons why you might be looking for a primary care provider:

Starling now makes it even easier to find an available provider in a town near you!

1. You can visit starlingphysicians.com/findpcp/ and see who is available in a town near you.
2. You can call our central PCP line at (860) 721-5743. We will find an available provider and book you an appointment

Get the care you need, now!

It’s important that you don’t delay your medical needs or ignore symptoms that would typically make you seek care. Early detection and treatment improve our ability to provide the most comprehensive and effective care. Make sure you Find a PCP today.

Click here to learn about questions to ask your PCP>

Click here to learn more about the role of nurse practitioners>