Primary care provides accessible healthcare services through a long-term relationship with patients to address a large majority of healthcare needs. Primary care focuses on providing patient-centered and team-oriented care to achieve better health, improved care, and lower costs for patients. This is accomplished via health promotion, disease prevention, patient education, counseling, and the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic diseases.

Internal medicine physicians are a type of primary care provider who are exclusively trained in the prevention and treatment of adult patients. However, not all primary care providers are trained in internal medicine. Because internal medicine physicians focus on the care of adults, they will have extensive knowledge regarding the medical conditions commonly seen in patients over 18.

It is common for an internal medicine practitioner to seek additional specialization in geriatrics, sports medicine, or women’s health. This specific training allows them to address clinical issues or groups of patients within their practice.

As a means to increase access to the health system, primary care providers are the first point of contact for patients. Having a primary care provider is essential to helping you navigate chronic medical conditions, reducing disease risk factors, and improving your overall wellness. They provide a central home for your medical care and accomplish functions such as the day-to-day management of your health needs, sick visit evaluations, and referrals to specialists when needed.

Specialist visits may require a primary care referral before a health insurance plan agrees to cover the appointment. Thus, a primary care physician can improve your access to specialist care. Primary care practitioners can facilitate a longer, healthier life while reducing the overall cost of medical care by arranging appropriate screening tests and providing tips for achieving a healthier lifestyle.

If you are having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 for immediate assistance and EMS transportation to the nearest hospital.

If the care you need is not an emergency, try to reach out to our after-hours call service which can provide you with some advice or get you in touch with an on-call provider as needed. The on-call provider can assess the current situation and provide you with the needed guidance until you can be seen in your doctor’s office the next day. They may also encourage you to seek immediate care at the local urgent care or emergency room.

You are not alone when the need for care arises as the healthcare providers at Complete Health are only a phone call away.

Every illness or injury needs to be evaluated to determine the seriousness of the situation. The emergency room is best equipped to manage illnesses or injuries that are life-threatening or could result in significant disability.

Some symptoms or health conditions requiring ER evaluation include:

• Chest pain or difficulty breathing
• Weakness or numbness on one side of the body
• Slurred speech
• Head injuries resulting in loss of consciousness
• Broken bones or dislocated joints
• Severe burns

While this is not an all-inclusive list, it provides an idea of the severity of illness or injury that requires ER care.

On the other hand, primary care should be sought for any of these conditions:

• Earache
• Cold and flu symptoms like cough, congestion, or sore throat
• Urinary tract infection
• Minor cuts and burns
• Medication refills

If you are not experiencing an emergency, call our office and we can provide you guidance as to whether you should visit an urgent care or schedule a doctor’s office appointment.

Yes. Complete Health Ormond Beach East requires all patients to have an appointment to be seen by a medical provider. This ensures the clinic respects every patient’s time and allows each patient to be seen in an efficient manner.

For new patients, call our office at 386-677-0453 to talk to one of our patient care specialists to schedule an appointment. They will register you in our system and provide you with all available appointment options.

If you are an established patient, the patient portal provides an easy option to schedule your next appointment. If you have never used the portal, no problem, follow the easy prompts to create a new account. With an account, patients can access their care anytime and from anywhere.