Primary care is a diverse field of medicine involved in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of medical conditions with an additional focus on the prevention of many common diseases and illnesses. A primary care physician develops long-term relationships with patients and provides care for a multitude of health-related issues throughout their lives.

Primary care is considered the first-line treatment avenue for all non-emergent medical conditions. Physicians in primary care manage chronic conditions and provide referrals to appropriate specialists when needed.

Primary care providers are the first point of contact to access the healthcare system. Primary care practitioners assist patients in navigating their chronic medical conditions, reducing risk factors for diseases, and improving their overall wellness. A primary care clinic is available to provide the day-to-day management of health conditions, evaluate you when you are sick, and provide referrals to specialists when needed.

Many health insurance plans require a primary care doctor to provide a referral to see a specialist. Therefore, having a primary care doctor can improve your access to specialty medical care. During an appointment, the primary care providers at Complete Health can arrange appropriate screening tests and provide education for achieving a healthier lifestyle. Having a primary care provider has been associated with an improved quality of life and reduced overall cost of medical care.

When choosing which primary care doctor is best suited to meet your or your family’s needs, consider this list of important characteristics.

• Convenience. A conveniently located office makes it easier to arrange office visits around a busy schedule and obtain care for unexpected health issues.
• Responsiveness. Selecting a clinic that provides quick answers and follow-up to patient-related issues such as answering questions and approving refills on prescriptions is important.
• Availability. The ability to see a provider quickly for unexpected issues can help improve your care and prevent unnecessary expenses.

If the situation is not life-threatening or limb-threatening, the first step is to reach out to our office. Our knowledgeable staff can help guide your next steps. For injuries or illnesses that are life-threatening or can result in significant disability, the emergency room is best equipped to manage these conditions.

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 a general idea of the severity of the 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 infections
• Minor cuts and burns
• Medication refills

If you are not experiencing an emergency and are unsure whether to seek urgent care, call our office, and we can provide you with the guidance you need.

New patients can schedule an appointment by calling our office at 205-674-1222 and talking to one of our patient care specialists. Our specialists can get you registered and provide you with a list of all your appointment options.

Already a patient at our clinic, the patient portal can be used to schedule your next appointment. New to the patient portal, no worries, create a new account using the easy-to-follow steps provided on the portal website. The patient portal provides you access to your care anytime and from anywhere.

When preparing for your doctor’s office appointment, it is important to have your current health insurance information and bring any documents you need the doctor to complete. Create a list of your current medications and vitamins/supplements, with the name, dosage, and frequency of each medication you take, and provide this to your doctor’s office. Finally, write down all your questions you want to ask the doctor, this will ensure you make the most of your appointment and leave feeling satisfied all your questions were answered.

Primary care physicians have a broad understanding of medical conditions that affect the entire body. On the other hand, specialists typically focus on one discipline so they are better at handling certain conditions. Examples include a cardiologist (specializing in heart-related conditions) or orthopedist (specializing in bone, joint, and muscle issues).