Primary Care: The gateway for optimal health
Dr. Grace Lee is a primary care physician treating patients of all ages at Memorial Hermann Medical Group Spring Primary Care.
As we inch toward 2021, many patients may have a renewed outlook on their health but may not realize that primary care is the gateway to keeping it in check. Dr. Grace Lee, a primary care physician, board certified in family medicine, discusses the importance of having a primary care provider to stay healthy.
Q: What is a primary care physician, and how can they help me stay healthy?
A: Primary care physicians, or PCPs, serve as a key access point into the rest of health care. We treat patients facing a wide range of conditions and disorders, which can include anything from urinary tract infections, mental health and respiratory infections to things like high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes. PCPs also perform annual physicals for disease prevention, which are crucial for early detection of cancer and other diseases, helping you to stay out of the emergency room and detect issues when they are most treatable. In fact, studies show that adults with a PCP have 19% lower odds of premature death than those who only see specialists. Primary care physicians can also help you navigate the complexities of health care by referring you to specialists, such as cardiologists or gastroenterologists, for specific treatments. A PCP knows your full health picture and acts as the central hub of a broader support system of specialists, helping to coordinate complete care among all the different specialists you see by ensuring nothing is overlooked. They also help with medical management by doing things like guiding you on next steps after surgery.
Memorial Hermann primary care physicians focus on providing individualized care by getting to know you, your medical history and ongoing needs, collaborating with specialists to ensure you receive the treatment and care that’s right for you.
Q: Why are annual physical exams important?
A: Most patients don’t realize that the job of a PCP isn’t just to see you when you’re sick, but it’s also to prevent you from getting sick. The key to treating patients is taking care of them while they’re healthy. Annual exams are a great way for patients to ask questions about their health and for physicians to ask their patients questions to ensure they’re doing well.
Annual physicals are also a good time to identify risk factors, to address lifestyle changes, get up-to-date on vaccinations and to conduct cancer screenings for optimal preventative care. Additionally, most insurance plans cover an annual physical, and seeing your PCP on an annual basis Photos courtesy of Memorial Hermann could save you from high healthcare costs if you take preventative measures to treat issues.
Q: What’s the difference between going to an urgent care versus your primary care physician?
A: COVID-19 has changed the ways patients access care, and urgent care facilities have become an increasingly popular option, especially for younger generations. While there are benefits to urgent care facilities, they are not a replacement for primary care. Going to someone who knows your health on a holistic level will allow you to receive more individualized treatment based on your medical history, especially if you are older or have chronic conditions. Many times, urgent cares will tell you to follow-up with your PCP if you don’t get better, so going to your PCP as a first step will help you avoid repeat visits and will allow them to monitor your illness.
Q: How often should I see my primary care physician?
A: At the very minimum, patients should see their PCP once a year for their annual physical. After that, the frequency of visits is based on the individual needs of each patient because there is no one-size-fits-all in health care. Overall, your health starts with you and your lifestyle choices. However, if you let your PCP guide you on preventing issues from occurring, you’ll have much better control over your health.
Need a PCP? Memorial Hermann Medical Group has highly trained professionals throughout Greater Houston. Choose yours today by visiting mhmg.memorialhermann.primary-care-doctors/