| Over the last few years, the way people receive
medical care has changed a great deal. One big difference: Today, doctors are focusing on
helping people stay well rather than treating them only when they get sick. To make sure
that happens, many health plans have primary care practitioners, healthcare professionals
who can manage your healthcare and help you take good care of yourself. Don't wait till you're sick
It will be easier for your primary care practitioner to tell if there's a problem if he or
she has seen you when you're healthy, so don't wait until you're not feeling well to
choose one. In fact, one of the important steps you can take in the doctor-patient
relationship is getting to know your primary care practitioner.
Who is a primary care practitioner?
A primary care practitioner can be a physician trained in family medicine or internal
medicine, an advanced registered nurse practitioner (NP, APN), a clinical nurse specialist
or a physician's assistant (PA). He or she coordinates and manages your healthcare needs
by keeping your complete medical records; coordinating your tests, treatments and
medications; making any necessary referrals to healthcare specialists and other providers.
If you become ill, contact your primary care practitioner's office for an appointment. (In
a life-threatening emergency, call 911.)
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