With the advent of walk-in and urgent care clinics, it may seem as though you have plenty of health care options, reducing the need for a primary care physician. While it’s true that you have unprecedented access to a wide range of services, the relationship you build with your primary care physician — your family doctor — puts a human face on your health and wellness.
With so many specialties in contemporary medicine, virtually everyone benefits from a central point of contact and in Fayetteville, Georgia, they turn to Alpha Internal Medicine. Dr. Betsy Horton and her team offer primary care along with their specialty services.
Healthy adults in their prime could often go for long stretches of time without the need for prescription medication or a referral to medical specialists. With such sporadic use of the healthcare system, it may seem that your needs are served adequately by walk-in clinics, urgent care facilities, and hospital emergency departments.
However, each new doctor you encounter is a caregiver who is starting from scratch with you as a patient. They have limited access to your health history beyond what you can communicate to them. Their knowledge of your life and lifestyle is nonexistent and they have no past experience with you upon which to base observations.
A primary care physician, on the other hand, has the history, knowledge, and familiarity with you to offer something that generic practices can’t — continuity. Over time, you build a relationship with your doctor, establishing a baseline of personal observation that’s hard to establish with a walk-in practice.
It’s sometimes hard to relax when you have a medical issue. Your relationship with your primary care physician provides a familiar starting point at a time when illness or injury may be unsettling. When you have a problem that’s sensitive or embarrassing, it’s easier to discuss with a doctor with whom you’re comfortable. Primary care practices are often equipped to help you with things like appointment reminders, prescription refills, and other recurring aspects of your care.
An important role of primary care is patient education. Often, your health care needs change as you move through life and you may encounter situations for which you need information and insight. It might be about family planning or preparing for a pregnancy. You could develop a chronic condition like type 2 diabetes that carries a steep learning curve to manage, or you may simply want the resources to help you live a healthier lifestyle. No matter what your goal, your primary care practice is the place to start.
In addition to being primary care specialists, Alpha Internal Medicine offers BioTE bioidentical hormone pellet therapy and injectable aesthetic services including Botox® and a range of dermal fillers.
Contact the office by phone or online to schedule a consultation. Find out how primary care can seamlessly improve your health care, now and in the future. Make an appointment now.
