Why do I need a primary care physician? A doctor responds

From Gen Z to healthy moms with kids to middle aged guys who've never had a cold, we've heard it before: "Why do I need a primary care physician — I'm never sick!"

One of our primary care physicians, Nisha George, DO, is here to answer your questions and emphasize the importance of understanding why you need a primary care physician in the first place.

Questions on the basics about primary care physicians

What is a primary care physician? Are they the same as a PCP?

"Yes, PCP is the abbreviation for primary care physician, and is your main point of contact for healthcare," explains Dr. George. "We PCPs focus on your overall well-being, provide preventive care, manage chronic conditions and coordinate with specialists when needed. Think of us as the quarterback of your healthcare team."

Do I need a primary care physician?

"Yes! It is important for everyone to have a regular check up with their PCP because our health changes as we get older and at all stages of life."

What does a primary care physician do?

PCPs offer services such as:

• Preventive care (e.g., vaccines and cancer screenings)
• Diagnosing and treating many acute and chronic medical conditions
• Addressing women's health
• Consulting with specialists
• Performing in-office procedures
• Helping patients navigate the complex healthcare system

According to Dr. George, "our goal is to get to know you as a person and know your medical history so that we can work together to keep you healthy, prevent emergency department (ED) visits or hospitalizations and manage your overall health."

Questions on selecting your primary care physician

How do I choose a primary care physician?

"Choosing the right PCP for you is an important decision. Think about what your preferences are, such as:

• Office location
• Office hours
• Size of the practice
• Appointment availability
• Communication style
• Electronic medical record (EMR) system

Don't forget to ask around! If a friend or family member has a PCP they trust, see if that provider is within your insurance network."

How do I find a primary care physician near me?

"Use your health system's Find a Doctor tool or your insurance directory to locate PCPs close to home or work," says Dr. George. "Location matters: choosing a nearby office makes it easier to keep appointments and stay on track with preventive care. And be sure to read reviews from real patients."

How do I get a primary care physician?

"Once you've chosen a PCP, call the office or schedule online to set up your first appointment. Bring your insurance card and any medical records you have. This first visit is a great time to share your health history and goals."

What to look for in a primary care physician?

"When you meet with your new PCP for the first time, you should feel safe, heard and respected. It's important to find a PCP with whom you feel comfortable enough to ask questions without judgment and discuss your health needs. These are important qualities to look for in a PCP because this will help build a lasting foundation in your relationship. It will also keep you healthier overall."

How do I change my primary care physician?

"Switching is simple. Just follow these steps to make sure your care continues without interruption:

1. Contact your insurance company to update who will be your PCP
2. Call the new office to schedule an appointment
3. Request that medical records you have at your old PCP's office be sent to your new doctor (you may have to fill out a form)
4. Notify the new office about any upcoming renewals you need for your prescriptions, if you take any"

Questions about why a primary care physician is necessary

Why do I need a primary care physician?

"Numerous studies have shown the widespread benefits of primary care services. Having a PCP means having someone who knows your health history and works with you to prevent illness and manage conditions. We're here to keep you healthy at every stage of life. So much so that people who receive primary care have fewer preventable ED visits and hospital admissions.

"Those who have a primary care physician also tend to have a stronger bond of trust with their doctor. When it comes to medical treatment, these patients are more likely to follow doctor's orders. Meaning they're also more likely to get better and get better faster. And in many cases, particularly in underserved communities, primary care access goes hand-in-hand with better:

• Blood pressure control
• Dental health
• Health outcomes
• Immunization/vaccination compliance
• Quality of life
• …and even reduced mortality rates

"Primary care physicians commonly detect and treat conditions, such as:

• Allergies/asthma
• Blood glucose (low/high "sugar") issues (borderline diabetes/diabetes)
• Bronchitis and respiratory infections
• Ear/sinus infections
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Gout
• Headaches and migraines
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Obesity
• Thyroid malfunctioning

In many cases, when it comes to management of health conditions, patients can save valuable time, energy and resources—instead of going from one specialist to another—by starting with their primary care provider for a baseline assessment.

Why do men need a primary care physician?

"From 'I don't like doctors,' to 'no news is good news,' men are notorious for avoiding the doctor. If you're a man in the 'Why do I need a primary care physician — I'm never sick' camp, it's time to book your appointment!

"Here are just some of the unique reasons why men need a primary care physician throughout their lives:

• Heart attack and body mass index (BMI) checks
• Prostate and colorectal cancer screenings
• Sexually transmitted infection (STI) screenings
• Discussion about alcohol and tobacco use and intervention, if needed
• Screening for anxiety and depression
• Screening for diabetes and counseling about physical activity, healthy lifestyle and nutrition
• Monitoring for dementia"

Why do women need a primary care physician and a gynecologist?

"Busy moms are another segment of the population that skip primary care services because women often figure that having a gynecologist is good enough. Especially if you're doing all the right things, like exercising, eating relatively well and have no mysterious symptoms to worry about. The common thought is 'why spend the time going to a doctor's appointment I don't really need?'

"While gynecological care is still important, OB/GYN does not cover all of women's healthcare, especially as you get older. Having a primary care physician who oversees all aspects of your medical care gives you an opportunity to ask other kinds of health questions that might have crossed your mind like:

• Are these stress headaches normal?
• What should I know before giving up gluten?
• Should I be worried about these new changes to my skin?

"Annual appointments are a good chance for women to ask your doctor these kinds of questions that aren't necessarily pressing health issues. At the same time, we want you to value this primary care relationship as much as the relationship with the gynecologist."

Additional questions about primary care physicians

What will a primary care physician ask me about in our appointment?

"Your visit is a good opportunity for your doctor to ask questions of you as well," explains Dr. George. "We may ask you about:

• Symptoms
• Warning signs or other notable items in your personal or family health history
• Things you may not have thought of"

Is an internist a primary care physician?

"Yes! Internists are internal medicine physicians who focus on adult health. Family medicine physicians are trained to take care of the health needs of all ages from newborns and up. Both can serve as your primary care physician."

Next steps:

Start the new year off right by making an appointment with a Main Line Health primary care physician. Looking to be matched with a primary care doctor whose values match yours? You can browse our primary care providers within our Find a Doctor tool.

Want to meet specifically with Dr. George? Call 484.580.4031 to schedule an appointment with her at Main Line HealthCare Primary Care Devon.

Main Line Health serves patients at hospitals and health centers throughout the western suburbs of Philadelphia. To schedule an appointment with a specialist at Main Line Health, call 1.866.CALL.MLH (225.5654).

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