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COMMUNITY
TAGLINE HERE
More primary
care choices
Doctors aren’t the only health care
professionals who can be primary care
providers. Other options include:
Physician assistants (P.A.).
A P.A.
works under the supervision of a
licensed physician.They have medical
training and clinical experience in
primary care.They also must pass a
national certification exam.
Nurse practitioners (N.P.).
An N.P.
begins his or her career with registered
nurse training.They then go on to
advanced graduate training. Most N.P.s
have master’s degrees. Some have
doctorates. Most P.A.s and N.P.s can offer
normal primary care services, such as:
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»
A physical exam and diagnosis.
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Health education and disease
prevention.
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Treatment for acute problems,
such as setting broken bones, and
chronic conditions, such as diabetes
or high blood pressure.
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Ordering and interpreting lab tests.
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Prescribing medicine.
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Referral to specialists, if necessary.
Providers must be licensed by the
states in which they practice. Their
legal roles may vary from state to state.
Sources: American Academy of Physician Assistants;
American Association of Nurse Practitioners
A cough that won’t go away.
A swollen
ankle. A sore wrist. These could signal
something as benign as a cold or a mild
sprain or as serious as cancer. It’s nice
to know you can take these concerns to
someone you trust. That person is
your primary care physician (PCP).
NOT JUST ANY DOCTOR
When you have a health issue that’s
not an emergency, your PCP is the
first person you call. PCPs specialize
in treating the whole person. For
example, they can:
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Offer preventive care.
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Answer medical questions with
advice that’s specific to your health.
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Manage care for chronic
conditions, such as diabetes.
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Refer you to specialists.
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Coordinate your health care, lab
tests and medications.
CHOOSINGA PCP
If you don’t already have a PCP,
make choosing the right one a
priority. Look for someone you feel
comfortable with. And be sure to
choose the right doctor for your
age and health history. Often, PCPs
are internists, family physicians or
pediatricians.
Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians;
American College of Physicians
We can help you find a primary care physician. Call the
CMH Information Center at
417-328-6010
or
888-328-6010
.
1
1 billion
The approximate number of visits
children and adults make to a physician’s
office in the U.S. every year.
The approximate percentage of office
visits made to a primary care physician.
The most
common reason
for going to the
doctor: a cough.
55.5
PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS
Partners
in your
health
➜
Numbers to know
PRIMARY CARE
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention