The impediments to being a good primary care doctor

Next in a series. The primary care physician (PCP) is the most broadly yet deeply focused care giver and as such is the the backbone of the healthcare system. But to do this work effectively requires time — time which all too often is not adequately available. What constitutes primary care and who are the primary care physicians? They are the first responders, the first line of care, and very frequently the patient’s confidant on all matters related to health and often more. The PCP is often the first physician contacted because of the long standing patient — doctor relationship but also because the PCP tends to be more readily available than a specialist who does not know you. In addition many individuals in managed care plans are required or at least strongly urged with various incentives to visit the PCP before turning to a specialist. The PCP needs to know a broad and deep range of medicine and at the same time needs to know when it is time to consult a specialist. Ideally he or she will enter into a collaborative partnership with the specialist(s) you are referred to so that the PCP can coordinate all aspects of your care. And if you have a chronic illness, the PCP should also ideally coordinate all of the various specialists, tests, imaging and procedures that you might require. It is this coordination of the care over the long term that will mean better care at a lower cost. The PCP deals with most problems/illnesses with a broad yet fairly deep expertis...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: Family Physicians Tags: Physician Primary care Source Type: blogs