Primary care is a fundamental aspect of the healthcare system designed to treat a range of medical conditions, focusing on both the treatment and prevention of many common illnesses. Primary care providers help to manage health-related issues throughout their patients’ lives by establishing a long-term relationship with the patient. Doctors in primary care focus on managing the whole body while providing referrals to specialists as appropriate. For all non-emergent medical conditions, visiting a primary care provider is considered the preferred method of treatment.

Primary care is typically provided by five types of doctors which include family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, internal medicine-pediatrics, and obstetrics and gynecology physicians. The decision on the best type of doctor to provide primary care services comes down to the specific needs of the person or their family. For example, a family medicine or internal medicine-pediatric doctor, who cares for adults and children, may be the best choice for an entire family who prefers care from one doctor. In primary care, obstetrics and gynecologists provide specialized care for the female population. Similarly, pediatricians treat children under the age of 18. Therefore, the convenience and needs of the family/individual seeking care are the most common determinants used to select the type of primary care provider.

While many use the terms primary care providers and physicians interchangeably, this is not always accurate. Physicians are primary care providers dedicated to providing long-term care to their patients. However, a primary care provider can also be a nurse practitioner or physician assistant. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants perform many of the same duties as physicians, including prescribing medicines, ordering labs, and providing referrals. However, their training is drastically different. Primary care physicians complete medical school and a residency program in their specialty before they can become board-certified providers.

When choosing a primary care physician in DeLand, it is important to consider these five items.

• In-Network” providers. Checking with your health plan to obtain a list of “in-network” providers can help avoid surprise charges or uncovered medical visits. Ensure the clinic has Medicare primary physicians if your primary insurance is Medicare.
• Expertise meets your health needs. With several different types of primary care physicians available, it is essential to consider your or your family’s current health needs and select a physician best capable of satisfying all those needs.
• Referrals. Discuss with other family members, friends, and co-workers about who they use as a primary care physician. This can provide you with experience-based knowledge about the provider.
• Logistics. Finding a doctor’s office close to your home, work, or child’s school reduces the hassle of attending appointments. It also increases the convenience of obtaining a check-up when you are sick.
• Make an appointment. It is important to feel comfortable and confident in your primary care provider. Therefore, if you are not completely satisfied after an appointment there is no harm in choosing a different physician.

When choosing which primary care doctor’s office is best suited to meet your or your family’s needs comes down to a few 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 issues regarding patient questions and 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.

Yes. Complete Health DeLand West requires patients to schedule an appointment to be seen. This ensures every patient’s time is respected and each patient will be seen in an efficient and timely manner.

If you are new to the clinic, call our office at 386-740-7080 to talk to one of our patient care specialists. They can register you and help you schedule an appointment.

Already a patient at our clinic, use the patient portal to schedule your next appointment. New to the patient portal, no worries, create a new account and use the easy-to-follow steps to obtain access. The patient portal allows you to access your care anytime and from anywhere.