According to recent studies, the number of Americans who have a primary care provider has plummeted over the last two decades. The decline in primary care physicians was especially pronounced among young American adults aged 30 and under.
While healthy people may not think they need a primary care provider until they get sick or injured, there are a number of reasons why you shouldn’t wait until something goes wrong. At Midwest Regional Health Services, our primary care providers and family doctors offer a broad range of preventive and primary care services at our office in Omaha, Nebraska.
If you don’t already have a primary care provider, here are five reasons why you need one.
If you have a chronic illness like diabetes or heart disease, a primary care physician is critical to help you manage your health and avoid potentially serious or life-threatening complications.
But even healthy people need primary care for everything from vaccinations and disease prevention to swiftly dealing with an illness or injury when they occur.
From getting regular health screenings to managing chronic diseases, primary care physicians are your first line of defense in the healthcare system. For example, simple routine screenings for blood pressure and high cholesterol help to diagnose and treat heart disease, which, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is one of the leading causes of death for American adults.
Primary care can be more cost-effective than disease treatment, saving you money in the short- and long-term.
Primary care providers aren’t just your doctors and healthcare providers, they’re also your advocates in the healthcare system. A primary care provider knows your medical history and can offer more personalized care than someone you’ve never seen before. Most people feel more comfortable with a healthcare professional they know and can trust.
Even the most sophisticated diagnostic tests aren’t a substitute for a knowledgeable physician who understands your family history and entire medical picture. A primary care physician can make recommendations for preventive care and regular monitoring if you have risk factors for health problems and diseases like cancer.
Nothing is more stressful than finding yourself in a medical emergency or facing an illness and having to start from scratch, unsure of where to go for treatment or who to call. A primary care physician can save you precious time and peace of mind in everything from timely appointments to helping you find a specialist when you need one.
For more information about the benefits and guidelines for choosing a primary care physician, call Midwest Regional Health Services at 402-230-7945 today to schedule an appointment with one of our primary and family care providers. You can also request an appointment online.
