10 Reasons Why You Need a Primary Care Doctor

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports 95% of U.S. children have yearly contact with a healthcare provider, compared to 84.5% of U.S. adults in the last year. Why the dip, and why are yearly check-ups so crucial for adults? The following 10 reasons explain the benefits of having a primary care doctor.

1. Holistic Health Care

If you're dealing with a cough, experiencing anxiety or depression or have questions about vaccines, your primary care doctor is your go-to person. They offer holistic health care, meaning, they can address a variety of physical, emotional and mental health concerns — managing all your health care needs in one convenient location. This makes it easier to discuss multiple issues during a single visit.

2. Better Manage Chronic Diseases

Managing chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and arthritis are challenging on your own. A primary care doctor helps you understand the impact of your disease and stay organized with its management. Regular appointments and routine testing are key ways they assist you in maintaining your health.

3. Higher Level of Comfort

It's important to feel comfortable talking about your health, which is why finding a primary care doctor you trust is the first step. Once you've found that connection, regular appointments help you build an open conversation about how you're doing. Research from the National Institutes of Health shows people who have a primary care doctor they trust tend to be more satisfied with their care. The more you connect with your doctor through regular visits, the stronger your relationship becomes and the better your overall healthcare experience.

4. Transparency of Entire Health History

Beyond making you feel more at ease, regular visits with your primary care provider create a valuable health history. This knowledge, about your own medical past and your family's, is essential for disease prevention and helps your doctor spot early symptoms of serious illnesses.

5. Lower Overall Health Costs

Research from the Journal of Health Affairs suggests routine appointments with a primary care doctor cut overall health costs for patients. Regular screenings, open communication between you and your doctor and a record of your health history all contribute to an overall lower cost of health care.

6. Routine Screenings

While getting your blood pressure checked at each appointment might feel routine, these screenings are incredibly important for your well-being. Regular testing helps identify potential issues before they escalate into more serious health problems. For instance, tracking blood pressure during annual wellness exams can catch hypertension early, which is crucial given that high blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease and stroke – leading causes of death in the U.S.

7. Catch Health Issues Early

Routine screenings are great for early detection, but your primary care doctor's personal knowledge of you is also key. Their familiarity allows them to ask the right questions and spot other health issues early, sometimes before standard tests show anything.

8. Referrals to Other Medical Specialists

If you require a referral to a specialist, such as a pulmonologist or cardiologist, begin by scheduling an appointment with your primary care doctor. Because they know your health history best, and how you like to be involved in your care, they can offer tailored recommendations for specialists.

9. Decrease in Hospital and ER Visits

Research shows patients who regularly visit their primary care provider have fewer hospitalizations and emergency visits than those who do not. Waiting too long to see a doctor, or ignoring symptoms, can lead to a hospitalization or an ER visit — two costly and time-consuming outcomes.

10. Better Patient-provider Communication

It's essential to have open communication with your doctor. Make sure to share your wants, needs and concerns, so they can provide appropriate care. Your primary care doctor should also feel comfortable being honest with you about their health advice and concerns. This two-way conversation is crucial.

Find a Primary Care Doctor for You

If you or a loved one is searching for a primary care doctor, our find a doctor tool can help. Easily search by name or location to discover the best fit for your needs.