Partner with Your Primary Care Physician for Optimal Health

Building a Relationship with a Primary Care Physician

Regular visits with your primary care provider allow them to get to know you so they can address and monitor any changes in your health. Their main focus is to help you stay healthy and prevent any issues from developing or chronic conditions from getting worse.

5 Benefits of a Partnership with a Primary Care Physician:

1. Regular physical exams and appointments can help catch potential health issues early – often before symptoms appear. When diseases are caught early, it is usually easier to treat them. This can lead to better outcomes after diagnosis.
2. Your PCP gets to know you individually. They can treat and monitor any chronic conditions you may have, they know the medications you are on, and anything else that may be affecting your health. Having an open, honest relationship can help you to comfortably discuss any other physical or emotional problems you may be experiencing.
3. Your PCP can help you stay up-to-date on vaccinations and important screenings. They can refer you for diagnostic tests including mammograms, colonoscopies, echocardiograms, glucose, cholesterol, stress tests and more. Routine screenings can help detect any underlying health issues early and prevent diseases.
4. They can help you to create your own health and wellness plan. A PCP can provide support, information, and direction on issues like weight loss, diet and nutrition, smoking cessation, drug and alcohol use and mental health.
5. They are your main point of contact to refer you to any specialized care you may need. Primary care providers can coordinate and provide referrals to physicians with specific knowledge like cardiologists, gastroenterologists, endocrinologists and other types of specialists.

Partnering with a PCP and receiving preventive care is an essential part of having the best possible health outcomes and an improved quality of life.

Your First Primary Care Appointment

If you recently scheduled your first appointment with a PCP, the following tips can help to make your initial appointment go smoothly.

• Be prepared to discuss your medical history (hospitalizations, past illnesses, chronic diseases or conditions) as well as your family medical history
• Bring or have access to your medical records, including test results and immunizations
• Have a list of all the medications you take, including vitamins, supplements and over-the-counter medications
• Advise of any allergies you may have
• Bring a list of questions you want to ask

By taking a proactive approach to your health and establishing a trusting relationship with a primary care physician, you are on the road to a successful health and wellness journey.

Routine visits are recommended to keep you healthy and up-to-date on necessary screenings. Learn more about Primary Care Services at Catholic Health.

Find Care at Catholic Health

Find a Catholic Health doctor near you. Or call 866-MY-LI-DOC (866-875-3117).

For convenient urgent care, visit a Catholic Health Urgent Care location.