Some Of The Reasons Why You Need A Family Doctor

Your first point of contact with the health care system, family doctors are experts in diagnosing and treating the whole person. They care for patients in the office, the hospital, other health care facilities or the patient’s home. Family doctors study family medicine, a certified medical specialty, and are trained to deal with any health problem. Family doctors also play an increasingly important role in the early identification of disease.

When doctors treat you for years, they get to know your medical history inside and out. That helps them make accurate diagnoses, watch for red flags regarding medications and monitor changes in your health through the years. It’s not a rule, but it tends to happen. If a woman is pregnant, her family doctor will assume the baby as a patient after birth. More times than not, the rest of the family will also see the same doctor. Because of this connectedness between the caregiver and the family unit, the doctor gets a complete health picture. He or she is able to assess the family dynamic on a personality level as well as be aware of any genetic diseases or risks that may be of concern. 

When you need to see a specialist for heart disease, cancer or any other serious concern, a family doctor can help find someone who fits your specific needs and personality. Here’s an example: Say I have a patient who needs to see a cardiologist. I know from years of experience this patient prefers conservative treatments. That means I’ll search for a cardiologist who takes a conservative-first approach rather than someone known for aggressive treatment.

Whether a patient is young or old, a family doctor’s best tool is preventative medicine, which is rarely discussed during visits to the emergency room or walk-in clinics. This is because although preventative health recommendations are of vital importance, they are hardly the most pressing or urgent concerns when a patient seeks medical help from an emergency care provider. Family doctors are the primary resource for preventative health care and can help prevent problems before they occur.