Women make approximately 80% of all healthcare decisions for families according to the
U.S. Department of Labor. They typically take the lead in choosing health plans, scheduling doctor’s
appointments, and making sure loved ones get the care they need. Women
are also more likely to step in as a caregiver when a family member falls
ill. Unfortunately, some women overlook what might happen if they or a
family member gets sick without having an established primary care provider.
Too often it means either ignoring the problem or visiting an emergency
room for an illness that doesn’t really require emergency care.
Neither is the ideal choice. Instead, women are better served when they
consider the importance of establishing an ongoing partnership with a
primary care provider.
Better Preventative Care – Unlike physicians who specialize in treating
one particular organ or disease, a primary care provider is uniquely trained
to care for patients as a whole person, regardless of age or sex. Family
Nurse Practitioner Mimi Starnes of
Catawba Valley Family Medicine – Viewmont encourages patients to be engaged in their own care by forming a partnership
with her as their primary care provider. “It helps when I can get
to know you, your history and your family history prior to any urgent
health event,” she says. “One of our main goals in primary
care is to provide preventative care by identifying and treating minor
problems before they become major ones.”
In addition to diagnosing and treating acute and chronic illnesses, a primary
care provider offers routine health screenings and guidance about lifestyle
changes in an effort to prevent illnesses before they develop. Patients
can learn more about the
recommended screening guidelines that help primary care professionals and patients decide together whether
a preventative service is right for a patient’s needs.
A Key Resource – A primary care provider should be the first person
in the healthcare system that you contact when you have a question or
a problem. He or she can provide answers and care, or can recommend a
specialist to meet your needs. Your primary care provider may also help
you find other resources, such as
support groups and classes offered locally through the CVMC Health First Center.
A Central Point of Contact – Think of your primary care provider
as the quarterback of patient care. A key advantage to having a patient-centered
medical home is the partnership you form to consolidate your medical care,
health history and medical records into as few places as possible. Starnes
says, “A primary care provider coordinates information between healthcare
providers. So, when patients have questions, they can call us. We can
also help make sure there is no duplication of care and testing, and that
nothing is left out.”
Continuity of Care – If a health condition arises that requires care
from another specialist, your primary care provider will work with you
to achieve the best possible outcome in the most cost-effective manner.
CVMG has over 55 providers providing a wide spectrum of health services
at 14 family medicine practices in the greater Hickory region. It’s
their job to be on the frontline coordinating care across the complete
healthcare spectrum, including:
- being the first point of contact for undiagnosed health problems
- comprehensive, whole-person care
- establishing trusted relationships and treating chronic problems
- coordinating across other health services
Fewer Trips to the ER – “Another benefit of having a primary
care provider is offering options that can help prevent unnecessary trips
to the emergency room,” explained Starnes. “For example, I
may be able to answer questions about a condition that concerns you, or
suggest a course of action you can take at home. Emergency rooms are staffed
to take care of true emergencies. For some people, going to the ER is
a safety net and they have little choice. But that should really be the
exception and not the rule. The emergency room cannot replace a good relationship
with a primary care physician.”