What is primary care?
In simple terms, a primary care physician is one that takes care of the entire range of a person's basic health care needs over a prolonged period of time. Your primary care physician takes care of your physicals, helps you to manage chronic diseases, diagnoses and in many cases treats your illnesses, and generally helps you to be as healthy as you can be. Primary care providers generally practice one of four specialties: family medicine, internal medicine, general pediatrics and/or geriatrics.
At UW Medicine Neighborhood Clinics, our Primary Care Providers are trained in the full spectrum of personal health and wellness, and we also offer a variety of specialists to suit your particular health needs.
How are primary care specialties different?
- Family practice doctors provide complete, continuing health care for patients of all ages, from newborn to seniors, with all types of problems. Family doctors are trained in a broad range of areas in outpatient medicine, including obstetrics, pediatrics, minor surgical procedures, and injury evaluation and management.
Internal medicine involves the diagnosis and treatment of adults, from young adults to senior citizens. Internists are trained in women's health, substance abuse, mental health, and common problems of the eyes, ears, skin, nervous system, and reproductive organs. They can also address such problems as cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, allergies, and arthritis.
Nutrition Services (or Medical Nutrition Therapy) involves nutrition assessment, counseling, education and follow up. Medical Nutrition Therapy is provided by a Registered Dietician / Nutritionist who is certified by the State of Washington.
Pediatricians are experts in the health of children from birth to age 21. They address a wide variety of concerns in this age group, including illness, injury, growth and development, nutrition, immunizations, physical fitness, safety, behavior, emotional and family problems, and school and learning issues. They diagnose and treat a full range of acute and chronic illnesses, from common infections and minor trauma to malignancies and inherited disorders.
Geriatrics is a branch of medicine that focuses on the care of the elderly. The Certificate of Added Qualifications in Geriatrics is awarded by the American Boards of Family Practice and/or the American Board of Internal Medicine to recognize physicians who have demonstrated expertise in the care of the elderly. Many of these physicians have received additional training focused on the care of older people.
Travel medicine specializes in the health needs of international travelers. This includes everything from assistance managing regular medications while abroad, to destination-specific health warnings and immunizations.
Why do I need a primary care provider?
Depending on your insurance plan, many specialists (like Cardiologists or Orthopaedists) will not see you unless you are first evaluated by and get a referral from a primary care provider. Also, primary care providers tend to be more accessible, have more time to spend with their patients, and are trained in integrated whole body care rather than just the treatment and maintenance of one particular body system.