Having a primary care doctor is a key component of good health. Your primary care doctor helps coordinate all your care and serves as your personal health advocate, so it’s important to establish a long-term relationship so he or she is familiar with your history.
Primary care doctors have the expertise to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions and work collaboratively with specialists and other health care professionals to deliver comprehensive care. He or she can also help you stay healthy by offering preventive health information, as well as answer your questions about health concerns or issues.
Choosing the right primary care doctor is an important decision – it should be someone who you feel comfortable with and can trust. The types of primary care doctors include:
- Family practice. Provide care for the whole family, from pediatrics to senior health care
- Internal medicine. Specialize in providing care to teenagers and adults
- OB-GYN. Provide specialized obstetric and gynecological care for women of all ages
- Pediatric. Provide care for babies, children, and adolescents