Guest Columnist
by
Julie Blehm, M.D.
MeritCare Internal Medicine
Why choose a primary care provider?
Like many people, you may not recognize a need for a primary care provider until you develop a health problem requiring long-term management. Examples include high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol. But the fact is people of all ages can benefi t from having a primary care provider.
First, a brief definition. I view a primary care provider as a doctor (or a mid-level provider such as a physician's assistant or nurse practitioner) who manages your overall health care. At MeritCare clinics throughout the region, primary care providers practice in the areas of family medicine (for patients of all ages), internal medicine (for adults) and pediatrics (for children).
So why have a primary care provider? The reasons are many, including:
- A primary care provider is up-to-date on all the appropriate screenings for a person of your age and with your particular health history. In addition, a primary care provider can guide you in preventive care measures that will help improve your health over the short-term as well as the long-term.
- A primary care provider whom you see regularly will likely be the first to pick up on problems such as high cholesterol, diabetes or high blood pressure, then do what's necessary to help you manage them. In addition, your primary care provider will listen closely to any questions or concerns you might have about your health, then determine if further steps need to be taken.
- Another very important reason to have a primary care provider is that these professionals have considerable experience in managing certain conditions on their own, but they also have expertise in coordinating care, including identifying the need for a specialist, arranging for an appointment and following up on what the specialist recommended. The primary care provider is an expert in chronic disease and care coordination. Multiple times over the years I have heard patients express relief at having a primary care provider.
If you do not have a primary care provider, call MeritCare in Fargo at (701) 234-5570 or (877) 234-44240 or call your local clinic to schedule an appointment. You can also learn more about our primary care providers at doctor.meritcare.com.
Return to Front Page of Valley Health Journal.
Do you have comments or suggestions for Valley Health Journal? Email us.