The Importance of Having a Primary Care Physician

No matter your age or health needs, everyone can benefit from having a primary care physician (PCP). Having a go-to physician for all your health needs from acute illnesses such as the flu to chronic diseases such as diabetes is convenient and incredibly beneficial for your health.

At San Feliz Urgent Care in Glendale, California, our team offers primary care, partnering with you for all your health needs. Let’s look at all the ways primary care can benefit you and what to expect from the care of our primary care physicians.

Why you should have a primary care physician

Primary care physicians are sometimes referred to as general practitioners because you can see them for everyday health concerns. Your primary care physician should be your first stop for any nonemergent health issues. They can also help you stay healthy and manage any chronic illnesses effectively. 

Most people stay with their primary care physicians for years because they form a bond. Your provider should be intricately familiar with your family health history, your personal health history, and even your personality and lifestyle, which can be incredibly beneficial for the prevention or early detection of dangerous diseases that you could be at risk for.

Studies have shown that regular primary care from a trusted physician can increase your life expectancy because you have someone routinely administering immunizations, refilling prescriptions, checking your vitals, and screening for diseases. 

What happens during a primary care visit?

During a regular primary care checkup, we sit down with you and review your personal and family health history to ensure there haven’t been any changes. We’ll also talk with you about your lifestyle habits to see if anything could be impacting your general health. This discussion also gives you the chance to ask questions or raise any concerns you have.

We then perform a physical exam, update any expired immunizations, and screen for any chronic diseases you may be at risk for. If you’re already on a chronic disease management plan, we can talk through how that plan is currently working for you and if we need to make any adjustments. 

We can also talk with you about our weight loss plans or nutritional counseling services we offer if diet is a concern of yours.

For acute illnesses, we can run any necessary lab tests to confirm a diagnosis and then provide a treatment plan to get you feeling better quickly.

To start receiving expert primary care from our team of physicians, schedule an appointment by simply calling our office or booking online today.