Primary care physicians are the gatekeepers of medical care. They bring new patients into the practice, offer and coordinate health screenings, manage chronic diseases, and refer you to specialists as needed. Here’s what you need to know about primary-care doctors:
Focus
Primary care physicians provide a broad range of services including well-woman exams, injury treatment and management. primary care physician in Detroit, MI have special training in pediatrics (child health) which can include checking height/weight ratios of children at their yearly checkups or even vaccinating children during their office visits. Primary Care Physicians are trained to identify and diagnose many different medical problems including heart disease, diabetes or depression.
Education and licensure
Primary care physicians are medical doctors (M.D., D.O., and M.B.A.). Some may be double-board certified, meaning they are also certified in a certain medical specialty and have additional training in comprehensive care. To become board-certified, physicians must pass rigorous exams and complete many hours of continuing education every year to stay up-to-date with the latest medical research and treatments. In addition to their standard undergraduate or graduate degrees (i.e., M.D., Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D.), they must complete a four-year medical school curriculum and be licensed by their state.
Primary care physicians are not responsible for the routine care of patients who do not have a medical problem. Most primary care physicians do not regularly see children under 6 years old, although some may handle pediatric issues. Primary care doctors are also not responsible for maternity services, childbirth or gynecology.
Specialties
You may be able to find a primary-care doctor in your area who specializes in treating multiple conditions at once (like Cardiology or Nephrology). Or you may need to find a primary-care physician located near the emergency room because that is where they handle the most serious injuries and emergencies.
Primary care doctors are specialists when it comes to treating heart disease. They follow a medically intensive approach to diagnosing the condition and improving your overall health. By following a regimen of diet, exercise and medication, primary care physicians can relieve atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeats) or hypertension (high blood pressure). Surgery may be required if the heart cannot be maintained with medication. Most cases of ulcerative colitis can be managed by primary care physicians.