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The primary care physician (PCP) is frequently the first practitioner you see when you develop a medical problem. The PCP primarily manages the care and treatment of individual patients. This generally includes diagnosing and treating injuries and illnesses that are not complicated; monitoring chronic illnesses that require long-term management; determining the need for consultation with a specialist and subsequently coordinating treatment between the PCP and the specialist.
Many PCPs include health screenings on a regular basis for certain conditions and may also provide wellness education to their patients. The PCP is often the practitioner who will fully review, explain, and answer questions about your treatment plan.
Primary care physicians generally act as the "gatekeeper" for managed health care plans: they are responsible for authorizing referrals to specialists and securing permission for different types of medical testing.
Patients may either choose the PCP they would like to see or have a PCP assigned by the managed care program. PCPs may participate in different managed care plans and accept private health insurance coverage as well.
One of the main advantages of working with primary care physicians is that they tend to be familiar with you as a person. In addition to knowing and understanding your medical history, they may also know and treat your family members and understand the ups and downs of your lifestyle. The PCP has an opportunity to see you not just as a patient, but also as a person.
Many hospitals provide a referral service that can match you with a doctor who best suits your needs. There are many physician directory services on the Internet.
For more information, visit the American Academy of Family Physicians at www.aafp.org.
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