Why Primary Care Matters

By Tesfaye Tetemke, MD

Skyline Medical Center

. http://skylinemedcenter.com/

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Why Primary Care Matters

Primary care can seem like an ambiguous term. What does it mean? How does it fit into today’s health care system? Why is it important? We’ll answer all these questions and more within this article.
Let’s look at some statistics first. Evidence shows that access to primary care helps people live longer, healthier lives. Studies suggest that as many as 127,617 deaths per year in the United States could be averted through an increase in the number of primary care physicians available. In areas of the country where there are more primary care providers per person, death rates for cancer, heart disease, and stroke are lower and people are less likely to require hospitalization.
What Is Primary Care?
The Institute of Medicine defines primary care as:
“The provision of integrated, accessible health care services by clinicians who are accountable for addressing a large majority of personal health care needs, developing a sustained partnership with patients, and practicing in the context of family and community.”
According to the Council on Graduate Medical Education on Advancing Primary Care, research shows that patients with access to a regular primary care physician have lower overall health care costs than those without one, and health outcomes improve.
Better Health Care
Primary care is the backbone of the health care system. Utilizing primary care physicians puts an emphasis on the physician-patient relationship by shifting the focus from physician-centered care to patient-centered care. A primary care provider’s goal is to deliver the care that’s right for you.
Prevention and Condition
Management
A primary care provider is responsible for screening all major health-related conditions. If you already have a chronic condition, your primary helps manage it and improve your quality of life.
They screen for many things, including obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. They also look at immunization records and help with regular immunization refills.
Urban and rural communities that have an adequate supply of primary care providers experience lower infant mortality, higher birth weights, and immunization rates at or above national standards.
Lowering the Cost of Health Care
A primary care-based system may cost less because patients experience fewer hospitalizations, less duplication of treatment, and more appropriate use of technology.
American adults who have a primary care physician accumulate 33% lower health care-related costs.
Medicare spending is lower in states with more primary care physicians, and these states also report more effective, higher-quality care.
If you haven’t already, consider doing some research and picking a primary care provider who’s right for you. Make it your New Year’s resolution.