4 Questions to Ask Your Primary Care Doctor

Treatment options can vary depending on what condition you have or if you have any coinciding medical ailments, your overall health and wellness, and your personal and financial requirements.

However, your primary care doctor knows your health history, which allows them to better understand what treatment options are best suited to you and your unique healthcare needs. They will also coordinate your care if you require treatment from a specialist, ensuring that your providers have all the information they need to provide you with the best care.

While the primary goal of your PCP is always to prevent sickness wherever possible, they will always work with you at a high level to manage any chronic or acute conditions. This includes creating custom treatment plans to best address these issues, which may include remedies such as medication, therapies, surgery, lifestyle changes, and much more.

When you leave the office of your primary care physician, you should always leave feeling like you know what’s coming next in your healthcare journey.

Your primary care provider will help educate you about your current level of health, as well as what else can be done to treat and/or manage your condition. They should also thoroughly discuss with you any symptoms that you should expect from your condition and the best ways to prepare for any changes or roadblocks mentally and physically that you may encounter.

Primary care physicians embody both preventative and active healthcare, meaning that you should always leave feeling secure about where you are in your wellness and anything that you need to do to better it.

If you’re diagnosed with an ailment or condition, one of the most important things to discuss with your provider is what your next steps are.

There are often certain practices that you can adhere to bolster your health in addition to any medically prescribed treatments. Your primary care physician will also help you prioritize which treatment options and medical care measures to act on first. This should be part of any comprehensive treatment plan issued by your PCP to help you reach your optimal level of wellness.

If you need a higher level of medical care and/or specialized treatment, your primary care physician will refer you to a professional that can best support your unique medical needs. Your primary care physician will maintain a working relationship with these referrals to keep up to date on your condition, progress, and any other relevant medical updates.

Many primary care physicians delegate a certain amount of time to each appointment, so it’s important to ask upfront about how long you can expect to have with them.

On average, most primary care visits last between 18-25 minutes. However, this will vary depending on the practitioner, the clinic, and the nature of your visit.

If you have a complex issue or have multiple issues needing to be addressed, it’s best to inform your clinic before you go. That way, they can block off more time for you and you won’t have to worry about running out of time. Your PCP may also ask you to book a follow-up appointment if they would like more time to go over your unique medical needs.

At Getwell Urgent Care, we want you to feel comfortable asking any questions that you may have about our primary care services. We’re here to help and are happy to provide you with the information you need to make sure you feel confident and comfortable at every stage. Contact us, for more information or book an appointment online. Visit our clinic conveniently located at 3090 M Street, Suite 9 Merced, CA 95348. We serve patients from Merced CA, Atwater CA, The Grove CA, Bear Creek CA, Planada CA, and Athlone CA.