A primary care physician (or PCP) is a doctor who first connects with patients to understand the undiagnosed conditions and provide them with the best treatment. A primary care physician must hold MBBS, MD, or DO degrees to be eligible for the title.
Direct family care provider provides non-surgical and basic diagnoses of common conditions and illnesses. A physical exam is also performed by them. A physician-in-training (PCP) is someone who interprets results from blood or other patient samples. Specialists are recommended for complex or intensive diagnostic procedures.
Image Source: Google
Your primary care physician can provide information about healthy habits, treatment options, and self-care. They can also perform screenings and administer immunizations.
The PCP’s role is to:
- Preventive care and healthy lifestyle habits.
- Recognize and treat common conditions
- Determine the urgency of your situation and direct you to the right care
- If you are experiencing a medical emergency, it is important to seek out other specialists.
Primary care is typically provided as an outpatient service.
- Pediatricians: They can take care of infants, children, babies, or adolescents. They have completed a pediatric residency.
- Obstetricians/gynecologists: These are the PCPs women use during pregnancy.
- Family physicians: These doctors can treat children as well as adults of all ages. They can perform minor surgery.
- Internists: These caregivers can care for people of all ages with different medical conditions.
- Doctor assistants and nurse practitioners: They have completed a training program that is different and is now certified. These people are sometimes called physician extenders.
It is best to avoid an emergency if possible.