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ON-SITE SERVICES

We take your health seriously & manage everything from preventative medicine to acute care & chronic conditions. Come find out why our VIP's (Very Important Patients) appreciate the time and compassion we give to our patients.

Board Certified Internal Medicine & Other Specialties

Adult Out Patient & In-Patient Medicine

EKG

Spirometry-COPD Testing

Skin Evaluation

Ear Lavage

Suture Removal

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We take your health seriously & manage everything from preventative medicine to acute care & chronic conditions. Come find out why our VIP's (Very Important Patients) appreciate the time and compassion we give to our patients. Board Certified Internal Medicine & Other Specialties Adult Out Patient & In-Patient Medicine EKG Spirometry-COPD Testing Skin Evaluation Ear ...

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Primary care is the day-to-day healthcare given by a health care provider. Typically this provider acts as the first contact and principal point of continuing care for patients within a healthcare system, and coordinates other specialist care that the patient may need. Patients commonly receive primary care from professionals such as a primary care physician ( general practitioner or family physician), a physician assistant, or a nurse practitioner. In some localities, such a professional may be a registered nurse, a pharmacist, a clinical officer (as in parts of Africa), or an Ayurvedic or other traditional medicine professional (as in parts of Asia). Depending on the nature of the health condition, patients may then be referred for secondary or tertiary care.

The World Health Organization attributes the provision of essential primary care as an integral component of an inclusive primary healthcare strategy. Primary care involves the widest scope of healthcare, including all ages of patients, patients of all socioeconomic and geographic origins, patients seeking to maintain optimal health, and patients with all manner of acute and chronic physical, mental and social health issues, including multiple chronic diseases. Consequently, a primary care practitioner must possess a wide breadth of knowledge in many areas. Continuity is a key characteristic of primary care, as patients usually prefer to consult the same practitioner for routine check-ups and preventive care, health education, and every time they require an initial consultation about a new health problem. Collaboration among providers is a desirable characteristic of primary care.

The International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC) is a standardized tool for understanding and analyzing information on interventions in primary care by the reason for the patient visit. Common chronic illnesses usually treated in primary care may include, for example: hypertension, angina, diabetes, asthma, COPD, depression and anxiety, back pain, arthritis or thyroid dysfunction. Primary care also includes many basic maternal and child health care services, such as family planning services and vaccinations.

In context of global population ageing, with increasing numbers of older adults at greater risk of chronic non-communicable diseases, rapidly increasing demand for primary care services is expected around the world, in both developed and developing countries.

Funding for primary care varies a great deal between different countries: general taxation, national insurance systems, private insurance and direct payment by patients are all used, sometimes in combination. The payment system for primary care physicians also varies. Some are paid by fee-for-service and some by capitation for a list of registered patients.

In Canada, access to primary and other healthcare services is guaranteed for all citizens through the Canada Health Act.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's 2016 Policy Address recommended strengthening the development of primary care and establishing an electronic database of the "Primary Care Guide" to facilitate public consultation. The Department of Health developed reference profiles for preventive care for some chronic diseases.

In 2017, the policy address recommended the establishment of a primary health care development steering committee to comprehensively review the planning of primary health care services and provide community medical services through regional medical and social cooperation.

The 2018 policy address proposed the establishment of the first district health centre and promoted the establishment of district centre in other districts.

The Hong Kong Food and Health Bureau established the Primary Healthcare Office on March 1, 2019 to monitor and supervise the development of primary health care services. In the process of developing the district health centers, regional health stations will be set up in various districts as transitional units offering the public with primary care services.

In Nigeria, healthcare is a concurrent responsibility of three tiers of government. Local governments focus on the delivery of primary care (e.g. through a system of dispensaries), state governments manage the various general hospitals (secondary care), while the federal government's role is mostly limited to coordinating the affairs of the Federal Medical Centres and university teaching hospitals (tertiary care).general medical

Basic Primary care, ( Polish: Podstawowa Opieka Zdrowotna, POZ) is a basic, common element of the health care system in Poland.

The basic health care unit (formerly: health care facility) is a medical entity that provides comprehensive care for people who have declared their willingness to use the services of a family doctor or another doctor who has the right to create an active list of patients. This means treatment and prevention of diseases, rehabilitation, as well as adjudication on the state of health. For a health care center to become a primary care provider, it must also provide care for its health visitor and midwife.

Since 2007, only General Practitioners, doctors undergoing specialization in family medicine, and doctors who have previously acquired the right to create an active list due to seniority in POZ before 2007 can be doctors creating active primary care lists. The currently pending proposals of the Ministry of Health, granting the right to create an active list to internists and pediatricians without experience of working in primary care, met with severe criticism of all family medicine organizations.

In organizational terms, POZ can act as:

non-public healthcare facility (NZOZ) - private company

independent public health care institution (SPZOZ) - a state unit or subordinate to local government

individual medical practice - private medical or nursing practice

group medical practice - a group of private medical or nursing practices

group / individual practice of community and family nurses

group / individual practice of community midwives.

The Act of October 27, 2017 on basic health care (Journal of Laws of 2020, item 172) has been in force since 2017.

POZ clinics are independent companies (except SPZOZ), however, the services they provide are free for insured persons when POZ has a contract with the National Health Fund.

Primary health care ( Russian: Первичная медико-санитарная помощь) in the Russian Federation is free (as part of territorial compulsory health insurance programs).

Primary health care includes measures for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment of diseases and conditions, medical rehabilitation, monitoring the course of pregnancy, the formation of a healthy lifestyle, including reducing the level of risk factors for diseases, and sanitary and hygienic education. Primary health care is provided to citizens on an outpatient basis and in an inpatient setting, in planned and emergency forms.

Types of primary health care:

primary pre-medical health care

primary medical care

primary specialized health care

Primary pre-medical health care is provided by paramedics, obstetricians and other medical workers with secondary medical education.

Primary medical health care is provided by general practitioners, district general practitioners, pediatricians, district general pediatricians and general practitioners (family doctors). Primary specialized health care is provided by specialist doctors, including medical specialists from medical organizations that provide specialized, including high-tech, medical care.

In the United Kingdom, patients can access primary care services through their local general practice, community pharmacy, optometrist, dental surgery and community hearing care providers. Services are generally provided free-at-the-point-contact through the National Health Service. In the UK, unlike many other countries, patients do not normally have direct access to hospital consultants and the GP controls access to secondary care. This practice is referred to as "gatekeeping"; the future of this role has been questioned by researchers who conclude " Gatekeeping policies should be revisited to accommodate the government's aim to modernise the NHS in terms of giving patients more choice and facilitate more collaborative work between GPs and specialists. At the same time, any relaxation of gatekeeping should be carefully evaluated to ensure the clinical and non-clinical benefits outweigh the costs".

As of 2012, there were about six primary care professional societies in the United States, including American College of Physicians, American Academy of Family Physicians, the Society of General Internal Medicine, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Osteopathic Association, and the American Geriatrics Society.

A 2009 report by the New England Healthcare Institute determined that an increased demand on primary care by older, sicker patients and decreased supply of primary care practitioners has led to a crisis in primary care delivery. The research identified a set of innovations that could enhance the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of primary care in the United States.

On March 23, 2010 President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) into law. The law is estimated to have expanded health insurance coverage by 20 million people by early 2016 and is expected to expand health care to 34 million people by 2021. The success of the expansion of health insurance under the ACA in large measure depends on the availability of primary care physicians. Unfortunately, The ACA has drastically exacerbated the projected deficit of primary care physicians needed to ensure care for insured Americans. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) without the ACA, the United States would have been short roughly 64,000 physicians by 2020; with the implementation of the ACA, it will be 91,000 physicians short. According to the AAMC's November 2009 physician work force report, nationally, the rate of physicians providing primary care is 79.4 physicians per 100,000 residents.

Primary healthcare results in better health outcomes, reduced health disparities and lower spending, including on avoidable emergency department visits and hospital care. With that being said, primary care physicians are an important component in ensuring that the healthcare system as a whole is sustainable. However, despite their importance to the healthcare system, the primary care position has suffered in terms of its prestige in part due to the differences in salary when compared to doctors that decide to specialize. In a 2010 national study of physician wages conducted by the UC Davis Health System found that specialists are paid as much as 52 percent more than primary care physicians, even though primary care physicians see far more patients.

Primary care physicians earn $60.48 per hour; specialists on average earn $88.34. A follow up study conducted by the UC Davis Health System found that earnings over the course of the careers of primary care physicians averaged as much as $2.8 million less than the earnings of their specialist colleagues. This discrepancy in pay has potentially made primary care a less attractive choice for medical school graduates. In 2015, almost 19,000 doctors graduated from American medical schools and only 7 percent of graduates chose a career in primary care. The average age of a primary care physician in the United States is 47 years old, and one quarter of all primary care physicians are nearing retirement. Fifty years ago roughly half of the physicians in America practiced primary care; today, fewer than one third of them do.

Projections show that by the year 2033, the population of individuals 65 and older will increase by 45.1%, creating a demand for primary care physicians that is greater than the supply.

The medical home model is intended to help coordinate care with the primary care provider the center of the patient's healthcare.

Strategies to address the primary care shortage

The Patient Protection Affordable Care Act contains a number of provisions to increase primary care capacity. These provisions are directed towards medical school graduates and include payment reform, student loan forgiveness programs and increased primary care residency positions The PPACA also provides funding and mandates to increase the role of mid-level practitioners like physician assistants and nurse practitioners to enhance the primary care workforce. The PPCA is projected to increase patient demand for primary care services. Through the adoption of new patient care delivery models that include physicians working in tandem with physician assistants and nurse practitioners, demand for future primary care services could be met. Consumer surveys have found the American public to be open to a greater role for physician extenders in the primary care setting. Policies and laws, primarily at the state level, would need to redefine and reallocate the roles and responsibilities for non-physician licensed providers to optimize these new models of care.

There is currently limited evidence to form a robust conclusion that involving older patients with multiple health conditions in decision-making during primary care consultations has benefits. Examples of patient involvement in decision-making about their health care include patient workshops and coaching, individual patient coaching. Further research in this developing area is needed.

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Primary care is the day-to-day healthcare given by a health care provider. Typically this provider acts as the first contact and principal point of continuing care for patients within a healthcare system, and coordinates other specialist care that the patient may need.

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Primary healthcare is a term used to describe the first contact a person has with the health system when they have a health problem or issue that is not an emergency. It is the part of the health system that people use most and may be provided, for example, by a general practitioner (GP), physiotherapist or pharmacist.

Primary healthcare providers

Primary healthcare is a term used to describe a range of healthcare providers who work in the community. Any healthcare professional who is the first point of contact for the health system can be a primary healthcare provider.

Most people visit their GP (sometimes referred to as the 'local doctor') as a first step when they have a health problem that is not an emergency. The primary healthcare system also includes allied health professionals, such as dentists and physiotherapists.

Primary healthcare settings

Primary healthcare is provided in a community setting, such as a general practice or dental clinic. Primary healthcare providers may work in medical clinics, community health centres and allied health practices, such as physiotherapy and podiatry practices.

Primary healthcare can also be accessed through health advice telephone helplines such as NURSE-ON-CALL.

Primary healthcare services

Services delivered by primary healthcare providers include:

diagnosis, treatment and care of people with health problems

promoting good health

preventing health problems

early intervention

managing ongoing and long-term conditions.

Healthcare services play an important role in advising and helping you to prevent illness and maintain good health. Important areas that you should seek advice on include:

managing and stopping smoking

hazardous drinking

stress and depression

poor diet and

physical inactivity.

Your relationship with a primary healthcare provider

Your primary healthcare practitioner is usually your regular GP, who provides comprehensive and ongoing general medical care, but you may have several primary health professionals you see regularly. For example, a dentist, counsellor, dietitian, osteopath or physiotherapist, are all primary healthcare providers.

Having a good relationship with your primary healthcare provider is important. You will often be able to establish an ongoing relationship with these providers, so that you can feel confident you have a medically trained professional to contact when you have a health issue.

To maintain a good relationship with your primary healthcare provider:

Keep medical history information and make it available to your primary healthcare provider.

Feel confident sharing sensitive information with your primary healthcare provider, as they are not allowed to share it without your permission.

Prepare for visits by writing down your symptoms, medication and any other healthcare providers you may be seeing, so you can discuss this with your primary healthcare provider.

Primary healthcare services for further assistance

There are telephone helplines like NURSE-ON-CALL available 24 hours a day. These services can be used to work out if you need to see a healthcare professional in person, as well as providing valuable health advice during those hours when other healthcare services are closed.

A primary healthcare service may diagnose and treat common health conditions within their area of expertise. They can also assess the urgency of your medical problems and direct you to the best place for that care. They may also be able to provide referrals to other medical specialists if required.

Where to get help

Your GP

Pharmacist

Local community health centre

, call 1300 60 60 24 - for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days)

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Primary healthcare is a term used to describe the first contact a person has with the health system when they have a health problem or issue that is not an emergency. It is the part of the health system that people use most and may be provided, for example, by a general practitioner (GP), physiotherapist or pharmacist.

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Concept of Primary Care and Family Doctor | Primary Care And You | Primary Care Office

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A family doctor cares about patients beyond the treatment of their diseases. He is capable of providing comprehensive, continuing, whole person and preventive care to an individual and family in their own community or environment so as to ensure physical, psychological and social well-being for his patients.

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Types of Primary Care Physicians

Your primary care physician serves as the entry point for substantially all of your medical and health care needs. He or she is your advocate in coordinating the use of the entire health care system to benefit you and takes continuing responsibility for providing your care. Primary care includes health promotion, disease prevention, health maintenance, counseling, patient education, diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses. By regularly seeing a primary care practitioner, you can identify and control health risk factors before they become problems. Your primary care practitioner encourages you to take charge of your health and is a trusted partner in an environment where you can feel comfortable and known.

All doctors are not alike. Many different health care professionals with different types of education can provide health care. Adults in your family could see an internist. Children could go to a pediatrician. Or the whole family could see a family medicine doctor. You could have a family medicine doctor and an obstetrician/gynecologist, or an internist and a geriatrician. If it's right for you, it's the right choice. Here's a guide to the five kinds of primary care doctors available at Lehigh Valley Health Network.

If a physician on your care team is board-certified, he or she chose to obtain an additional credential after medical school and residency training. Board-certified physicians have completed additional education and passed an examination to earn this credential. If one of your caregivers is fellowship-trained, the physician has had additional training in a particular area of interest.

Family medicine doctors: Also called family practice doctors, they see people of all ages, including infants, children, teens and seniors. They are educated and board-certified in their knowledge of the body at all ages.

Internal medicine doctors: Also called internists, they generally care for people age 14 and up (the starting age can vary by practice). They are educated and board-certified in the understanding of the internal organs of the adult body. Some internal medicine and family medicine physicians also can provide care that you might not expect, like routine gynecologic care, dermatology and sports medicine.

G ynecologist or obstetrician: For many women, this physician is a key health resource. Through the reproductive years and afterward, your obstetrician or gynecologist has the knowledge and experience to promote your well-being. They recommend tests and exams necessary at different stages of your life.

Geriatricians: They have special education to address the specific needs of adults over age 60. They provide routine primary care, as well as medication management, physical and mental assessments related to falls, memory issues and other aspects of aging.

Pediatricians: Every child needs to see a doctor - in fact, more often than adults. Pediatricians are specially educated to care for children, ranging from newborns through age 21. If your child needs special care, our pediatricians work closely with our specialists so your child can receive the best care.

MD or DO?

So you've narrowed down the type or primary care doctor you'd like to see. Now you may have questions about whether you'd prefer an MD or a DO. Here is some information to help you choose.

MD stands for medical doctor, a doctor who trained at a medical school. DO stands for doctor of osteopathic medicine, who trained at a college of osteopathic medicine. They represent two branches of medicine that started out completely separate but have grown more alike over 125 years. Both types of physicians spend the same number of years training, must pass a licensing exam, and are licensed to provide all types of medical care, including surgery.

Most people are familiar with how medical doctors are trained in understanding the body and treating disease. Osteopathic medicine was founded in 1874 based on a "whole person" approach that emphasizes preventive care and wellness. Osteopaths also receive ongoing education in the musculoskeletal system, and some but not all osteopaths perform osteopathic manipulative treatments. Because of this "whole person" approach, about two-thirds of osteopaths choose to become primary care doctors.

Today, the two branches of medicine seem more alike than different. MDs emphasize preventive care and wellness, and a growing number of osteopaths are choosing to become specialists.

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Your primary care physician serves as the entry point for substantially all of your medical and health care needs. He or she is your advocate in coordinating the use of the entire health care system to benefit you and takes continuing responsibility for providing your care.