Primary care doctor
Primary Care Doctor
A Primary Care Doctor (pronunciation: /ˈpraɪməri keər ˈdɒktər/), also known as a General Practitioner or Family Physician, is a healthcare professional who practices general medicine. Primary Care Doctors are often the first point of contact for patients seeking non-emergency medical care.
Etymology
The term "Primary Care Doctor" originates from the concept of 'primary care' in healthcare, which refers to the first point of contact a patient has with the healthcare system. The term 'doctor' is derived from the Latin word 'docere', meaning 'to teach'.
Role and Responsibilities
Primary Care Doctors are responsible for providing comprehensive health care to individuals and families. They diagnose and treat a wide range of health conditions, and provide preventive care such as routine checkups, health-risk assessments, immunization and screening tests. They also guide patients on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and managing chronic diseases.
Primary Care Doctors often coordinate with other healthcare professionals and specialists for patients who need more specialized care. They play a crucial role in the healthcare system by providing cost-effective care and improving health outcomes.
Related Terms
- Family Medicine: A medical specialty devoted to comprehensive health care for people of all ages.
- Internal Medicine: A medical specialty dealing with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of adult diseases.
- Pediatrics: The branch of medicine dealing with the health and medical care of infants, children, and adolescents.
- Geriatrics: A specialty that focuses on health care of elderly people.
- Preventive Medicine: The part of medicine engaged with preventing disease rather than curing it.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Primary care doctor
- Wikipedia's article - Primary care doctor
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