A primary care physician (PCP) serves as a “go-to” doctor for
all your medical needs. Whether you are feeling under the weather due
to illness or need assistance managing your medication, chronic diseases
or mental health, a primary care provider serves as an entry point into
a health system.
Depending on what stage of life you are in, a primary care physician can
be a family or internal medicine doctor, an obstetrician, gynecologist
and/or a pediatrician. When it comes to managing your health, a PCP is
the best ally you can have. They know you and your medical history. They
are “your” doctor. They are who you call when you are sick,
need a wellness checkup, screening, or to monitor and treat acute and
chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol,
asthma, digestive issues, the flu, and more.
For most people, primary care physicians fit into one of two major categories
– internal medicine and family medicine. The main difference between
these two specialties is an internal medicine doctor treats adults, from
18 years old through the geriatric years. A family medicine doctor is
someone who can treat patients of any age – from infant to the elderly.
Each specialty is trained to act as personal doctors, providing long-term,
comprehensive care for you.
To learn more about Memorial’s extensive team of internal medicine
physicians,
click here.
To learn more about Memorial’s team of family medicine physicians,
click here.
