Date Posted: 2/9/2018 3:46:47 AM
Posted By: simpleman Anto Membership Level: Silver Total Points: 162
Having a Primary Care ProviderEXECUTIVE SUMMARYThe report outlines the importance and the impact of having a primary care provider (PCP). It is divided into four sections; introduction, thesis statement, the body of the document, and conclusion. Under introduction, the paper defines primary care from a medical point of view as "care that is provided by regular doctors as a usual source of care (USC), and which is characterized by comprehensive first contact, person-focused continuity, and care coordination across health care providers." It also provides statistic variation between children and adults who had contact with a healthcare provider in 2016. In the thesis statement, the primary objective of the report is stated as “to discuss the importance and the impact of having a primary care provider.”In the third section which is the main body of the document, the paper explains the benefits and impacts of having a primary care provider. The main points discussed include: Helps coordinate the care for the patient at one central location or place; it increases the effectiveness of managing chronic diseases illness; enhances a high level of comfort; and reduces the overall health or medical costs and expenses. Other importance discusses the ability to foster transparency of the person's entire health history; reduces visits to the hospital and emergency rooms (ER), aids the process of referring patients for more advanced screening and medication. Reducing death rates and promoting two-way communication between the patients and the healthcare providers are other critical points included in the report. Lastly, the report concludes that primary care is imperative for building a stable healthcare system that ensures positive health outcomes, effectiveness and efficiency, and health equity. It recommends that at least each household or person should have a primary care provider. IntroductionStarfield et al. (2005) define primary care a "care that is provided by regular doctors as a usual source of care (USC), and which is characterized by comprehensive first contact, person-focused continuity, and care coordination across health care providers."There are various misconceptions about primary care providers. Many adults in the Kenya feel that they should only see a doctor or a physician when they are sick. They believe, it is just children who need regular check-ups and not adults. For instance, according to statistics by the Kenyatta National Hospital, more than 80 percent of children had contact with a healthcare provider in the year 2016 as compared to the less than 50 percent of adults. The truth is that having a primary care provider is beneficial for individual's wellness and health for people of all ages. Having a Primary Care Provider (PCP) play an important role and is responsible for concealing all dominant health-related condition. By having primary care providers, one can effectively manage any chronic disease that would lead to a quality lifestyle in future.Thesis StatementHealth is a vast area of study with multiple issues and challenges arising day by day with having primary care are one of the major concerns in the healthcare system. The problem has been overlooked in the whole world for many years causing an imbalance between Specialty and primary care exists. However, in the year 2001, "the World Health Organization (WHO) proposed a global goal of achieving universal primary care in the six domains established by the 1978 Alma-Ata Declaration: first contact, longitudinal, comprehensiveness, coordination, person or family-centeredness, and community orientation. Specialty and primary care exist."Most existing literature emphasizes the quality and safety of healthcare services as well as earlier prevention of diseases before they spread in the community. One way of achieving such goals is by having a primary healthcare provider. Health-related issues such as heart problems, blood pressure, cancer, and diabetes can easily be managed if they are discovered early in their early stages before they spread to other parts of the body or worsen the situation. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the importance and the impact of having a primary care provider. The essay focuses on individual, organizational, and societal benefits.Body of the PaperThe Importance and impact of having a Primary Care Provider (PCP)Having a primary care provider helps coordinate the care for the patient at one central location. Within the practice of PCP,s, one can access a broad spectrum of health services including preventive measures like cancer screening, hypertension, chronic care, diabetes, among other conditions. It creates holistic care such that a primary care doctor or physician helps his or her clients deal with physical, mental, and emotional experiences in their daily lives. It also allows other physicians and medical staff to be well informed of your health history such that during an emergency, they know what to do. Sometimes it is difficult to tell what a person is suffering in a crisis because the individual has no medical record. This makes it even harder to find a short-term solution. The case is different with people having a primary care doctor. Since they are fully aware of their client's medical conditions, they know what to do at any point in the patient's lifetime.Better management of chronic disease is more effective when one has a primary healthcare provider. Like arthritis, lupus, and diabetes, chronic health conditions are often difficult to monitor. A primary care doctor thus helps one be aware of their status and stay organized for future medical requirements. With the aid of a primary care doctor, one schedule regular visits to the providers and undergoes routine medical tests and screening to maintain the chronic illness better. If one already has a chronic condition, a primary care provider helps manage it and improve the quality of life.A primary care provider fosters a high level of comfort. It is a prevailing attitude in the United States of American that most people are naïve and reluctant to share their health status, concerns, and needs with strangers openly. The problem can easily be solved by choosing a trustworthy primary health care organization or practitioner. It strengthens the relationship between patients and the doctor. The more time an individual visit a healthcare provider, the stronger the relationship that results into quality care. Research studies have revealed that patients with primary care physicians report higher levels of satisfaction as compared to their counterparts without a specific medical expert to take care of their health. Having a primary care provider enhances transparency of the person's entire health history. Besides uplifting comforts levels, a routine visit to a PCP builds individual's health history. As a result, the doctor catches early signs and symptoms thus proposing a more appropriate remedy strategy before the conditions get worse. Also, knowledge of personal health history, as well as that of family members, is imperative for disease control and prevention. It promotes the well being of the whole society. If everyone has a primary care provider, the likelihood of spreading communicable diseases reduces because people are treated before the condition develops.Lower overall health or medical costs is another benefit for having a primary care provider. Most American residents have viewed regular appointments and visit primary doctors when they are not sick as tedious and a waste of time and money. However, according to the Journal of Health Affairs, routine appointments with a primary care provider cut or decreases overall health costs for patients. Timely and regular medical check-up opens communication between the doctor and the person. It helps identify and mitigate illness in their earlier stages thus preventing future costs and expenses. Furthermore, during an epidemic outbreak, vaccination or immunization helps minimize chances of contradicting a disease. One is more likely to be vaccinated when having a primary healthcare provider. The medical health records also significantly contribute to an overall lower cost of the medical services.A primary care provider recommends for specialists and further medical screening. They offer referrals services to other medical specialists. For instances referrals to see a dentist, optician, cardiologists, and other specialized experts require the aid of a primary care doctor. It is through regular appointments with the primary care physicians that help him or her to refer a patient for advanced medical treatment. PCP's can be an organization or a group of people who are part of an expert team that sufficiently meets patient's needs. The teams are usually made up of physicians, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, patient care associates, and patient care stuff. With each one contributing towards the care, the team offers excellent health care. It is essential to have a primary care provider because it reduces visits to hospitals and emergency rooms (ER). Two of the most expensive and overwhelming patients' outcomes are hospitalization and emergency visits. Statistics by Mayo Clinic indicate that individuals who visit the primary healthcare providers on a regular basis are less likely to be admitted in a hospital as compared to their counterparts who wait until they fall sick to seek medication. Ignoring signs and symptoms or waiting too long to consult a doctor can lead to an ER visit or hospitalization. A primary care provider promotes successful routine screening (Starfield et al., 2005). Even though some tests such as checking on the blood pressure at every appointment might be demanding, the detection is beneficial for personal health. Regular medical tests help determine abnormalities before they lead to debilitating health matters. Whereas the testing and vigorous medical tests reveal particular signs regarding body health, primary care physicians also have an apparent understanding of their regular clients. He or she can detect any changes as well as ask the right questions to find a viable solution to the problem. A PCP screen for elements including obesity, sugar levels, and blood pressure. They also look at vaccination record and help their patients with regular immunization refills. Without a PCP, it may be costly and difficult to obtain the refills.Having a primary care provider promotes effective communication between the patient and the healthcare provider. Information sharing is critical for a quality and safe healthcare. It is two-way such that one asks questions and another one responds. For instance, persons should communicate their specific health needs, concerns, and wants to help the doctor address the issues appropriately. Similarly, the doctors are supposed to ask their patients how they are faring on with the new treatment or proposed preventive strategies. The process can only be effective when people have a close a relationship with their primary care providers.Lastly, having a primary care provider helps reduce the death rate in the society. According to UW Medicine Health (2015), a PCP is the best to begin when one requires any health care or has a severe mental or emotional issue. A PCP can provide preventive care, diagnose diseases and illnesses, and help find the right specialists when need arises. They coordinate and collaborate with other practitioners to get the "big picture" of individual health needs. Sometimes health problems are related. Without explicit coordination the cause of the condition may be found. For instance, a patient sees a cardiologist for a heart problem and a dermatologist for skin rashes; it may be impossible to link the two conditions because each doctor would concentrate on his or her area of specialization. However, in an incident the rushes on the skin has something to do with a heart problem, a PCP unfolds the relationship, and eventually, right medication would be administered.ConclusionPrimary care is imperative for building a stable healthcare system that ensures positive health outcomes, effectiveness and efficiency, and health equity. Most countries, both developed and developing have made it a norm for households, and individuals to have a Primary Care Provider. The practice has been proven beyond doubt that it improves the healthcare system and enhances healthy living standards. A significant number of lives have been saved with the help of primary care providers. The spread of communicable diseases can easily be controlled or prevented when its source is discovered early. The primary care providers are at the forefront of screening for such conditions and having them mitigated. It is therefore recommended that at least each household should a primary care provider, and if possible, each person makes regular visits to the doctor or physician for additional healthy such as emotional, physical, and mental guidance. ReferenceStarfield, B., Shi, L., & Macinko, J. (2005). Contribution of primary care to health systems and health. The milbank quarterly, 83(3), 457-502.
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