6 Reasons You Should Have a Primary Care Provider or Family Medicine Provider

If you have a medical need — sudden flu symptoms, nagging back pain, an unexpected rash or a funky mole — who you gonna call?

A primary care provider (PCP), that’s who.

That is, if you have one.

But 1 in 3 people in America don’t have a PCP. That’s 100 million children and adults who are missing out on an important relationship, says family medicine specialist Sarah Pickering Beers, MD.

Is a primary care provider the same as a family doctor?

PCPs and family medicine providers aren’t the same thing.

• “PCP” is an umbrella term that captures a range of caregivers who serve as your frontline contact for medical care.
• Family medicine providers are a kind of PCP. They can care for children, adults, seniors and women’s health concerns. That can make them a good fit if you’re looking for a single provider who can care for the whole family.

Your PCP may be a family medicine provider. Or they can be an internist, which is a doctor who specializes in adult care. Or a geriatrician, who specializes in caring for older adults.

If you have a go-to provider that you consistently turn to for routine care, congratulations! You have a PCP.

Why you need a PCP or family doctor

The relationship you develop with your PCP is an important one. Here are a few reasons why it matters.

1. Preventive care keeps you healthy

Let’s start with probably the most important reason to have a PCP: It can keep you healthier. (And really, that’s the whole goal, right?)

Studies show that access to primary care is associated with better health.

“In areas of our country where there is more primary care, health outcomes are superior, with lower costs,” Dr. Pickering Beers reports. “Research shows people who regularly visit a PCP are less likely to be hospitalized, and death rates are lower for cancer, heart disease and stroke. Infant mortality rates are also lower, birth weights are higher and rates of immunizations against once deadly diseases are higher.”

2. You get lifelong care

Because they’re trained to care for children, adults and seniors, a family medicine provider can help guide you through each stage of your life. And they can monitor changes to your health over the long term.

“We can treat newborns, toddlers, teens, people in their 20s, middle-aged adults and people well into their 90s,” Dr. Pickering Beers shares. “And we often see these same patients for years or even decades. That means you can build a lasting relationship with a family physician.”

When doctors treat you for years, they get to know you inside and out. That helps them make accurate diagnoses, watch for red flags and personally monitor changes in your health through the years.

3. They know your history

When family medicine providers treat other members of your family, it gives them an intimate and informed view of your personal and genetic health.

“Seeing multiple generations of a family can help a doctor record an accurate, in-depth family health history,” Dr. Pickering Beers notes. “For example, if I know you had cancer at a young age, and so did your mother, that’s a red flag. I can recommend genetic counseling and offer a screening plan not only for you, but also for other family members at risk.”

Sure, any healthcare provider can (and likely should) ask you about your family history. But what if you don’t know much about it? Or you forget to mention that your paternal grandpa had prostate cancer? The closer you and your family work with a family medicine provider, the better the chances they can connect those generational dots.

And medical history is just part of the picture. Sometimes, it helps to know what’s happening in your day-to-day life, too. When treating a child whose parent has just lost a job, for instance, that information can help a family medicine provider better understand any signs of stress or anxiety. And then recommend appropriate support services.

“When doctors treat you for years, they get to know not just your medical history — they get to know you,” Dr. Pickering Beers emphasizes.

4. They can treat a range of concerns

You can go to your PCP or family doctor for everyday health needs, like:

• Vaccinations and immunizations
• Sexual health questions and concerns
• Gynecological check-ups
• Annual exams
• Mental health concerns
• Blood testing
• Family planning
• Aches and pains
• Acute illnesses, like flu, COVID-19, ear infections or RSV

And the list goes on (and on and on). But they can also be your quarterback and cheerleader as you manage chronic conditions, like:

• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Arthritis
• Cancer
• COPD
• Obesity
• Depression

You’ll likely see specialists to help you manage such conditions. But your PCP is the one who can see the fuller picture and help you manage your health at the highest level.

5. You get the right referrals

When you need to see a specialist for heart disease, cancer or any other serious concern, your PCP can help find someone who fits your specific needs — and personality.

Here’s an example: “Say I have a patient who needs to see a cardiologist. I know from years of experience that this patient prefers conservative treatments,” Dr. Pickering Beers illustrates. “That means I’ll search for a cardiologist who takes a conservative-first approach rather than someone known for aggressive treatment.”

6. You can save money

Medical emergencies require a trip to the ER. Your PCP isn’t the place to go if you think you’re having a heart attack or if you’re in a serious car accident.

But far too many people in the U.S. rely on emergency medicine as their primary source of care.

Look at your insurance card. Chances are, you’ll likely see that you’ll pay much more for a trip to the ER than a visit to a primary care office. So, when you have a nagging cough or you think your kid has strep throat again, hitting up your family medicine doctor can keep more money in your wallet.

How to find the right fit

While most family doctors will cover the same kinds of conditions and have similar medical knowledge, there are other things to consider when choosing a PCP who fits your needs.

For example, you may want to consider whether they have special training in certain health areas. Take note of any areas that best align with your health needs, like sleep medicine, behavioral health or pain management.

Here are some other factors to think about when choosing a family doctor:

• Whether they’re taking new patients
• Whether they’re in your insurance network or plan
• Their office hours and location
• Their on-call hours or after-hours, if they have them
• Whether or not their office provides lab testing in the same location

Not only do family medicine doctors provide comprehensive care for your and your family’s health throughout different stages of your life, but they can also give you the confidence to take charge of your own health. This makes family doctors a good jumping-off point for any questions or concerns you may have about your well-being — especially if you don’t know where to start.