Chronic Living Blog

Also known as a PCP, a primary care provider is the doctor who directs your healthcare team. It’s their job to take a look at your health situation and make a plan of care.

I say doctor, but it could also be a nurse practitioner (NP) or a physician assistant (PA) that you see. I use doctor here for simplicity.

A PCP will treat you for basic things, but will make a referral for things that need a specialist. They will order some labs, images, or other diagnostic tests if needed to help them decide who to put on your team.

The specialist will take over that piece of your care, but not all of it. You want the heart doctor for heart stuff, and a bone doctor for bone stuff. Ask your specialist to send updates to your PCP with your visits. They often can’t see each other’s notes unless you do.

So when should you see your PCP?

At least every year if you are healthy. They will check you over based on your age and any changes from last time.

After every hospital or emergency room visit. The PCP will review what happened, and try to prevent a repeat visit.

If there is a change in your health. Trust your gut, if you think maybe a doctor should look at it, then go see them.