Why Primary Care Matters

Primary care is the foundation of your overall health and wellness. A primary care provider is well versed in a variety of areas of medicine. We recommend seeing this physician at least once a year for an annual wellness visit, as well as sick visits, minor injuries and preventive care.

By establishing with a primary care provider, you have someone who knows your medical history and recognizes when changes occur. If you’re seeing this physician regularly, you’re more likely to keep up other types of preventive care, including:

• Immunizations
• Pap smears
• Mammograms
• Colon cancer screenings
• Bone density scans
• Other age and risk-factor-dependent tests

If you develop an acute or chronic condition that requires more advanced care, your primary care provider may refer you to a specialist. This type of physician has specialized training and experience in a specific area of medicine.

Your primary care provider can be a family medicine provider, internist, OB/GYN or pediatrician. To find a primary care provider at Marshall Health, go here or call 877-691-1600.