Why is it Important to Have a Quarterback on Your Healthcare Team

Posted on

Feb 09, 2014

Book/Edition

Colorado - Southern Colorado

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Primary care providers (PCP) are the foundation for your medical care. As such, we lead the team of healthcare professionals and other specialists that provide you comprehensive care. So, we like to think of ourselves as the quarterback of your team.
A PCP can be a MD, Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.), Physician Assistant (PA) or Nurse Practitioner (NP). Your PCP will diagnose and treat common illnesses and medical conditions while teaching you about safe health behaviors, treatment options, preventative and self care skill as well as provide necessary screening tests and immunizations.
PCPs detect undiagnosed health issues and start treatment promptly, ultimately resulting in better outcomes. We manage chronic disease, utilizing evidence based guidelines in order to achieve mutually agreed upon health goals. Evaluating the urgency of your medical condition and directing you to the best place for care, which may be referring to other medical specialists, is a key role your PCP plays as quarterback of your team.
Communication is the key to success on any team. You need to take an active role with your healthcare team. Keep your quarterback PCP up to date on immunizations, surgeries, visits with specialists, family history and active medical illnesses. Schedule regular appointments and keep them. Keep a list of all current medications you take, including over the counter medications and vitamins. Share that information with your quarterback PCP and include why you take the medication, how often you take it and what the dosage is.
If you have any concerns about your health, contact your PCP initially, they are the main healthcare provider in any non-emergency case. Regular visits to your quarterback PCP will reduce costly emergency room visits by catching problems early.
Don't have a PCP? Parkview Adult Medicine Clinic serves patients ages 15 and above. We are staffed by four board-certified Internal Medicine Physicians, 21 Resident Physicians, one board certified Family Nurse Practitioner, and one board certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. In addition to providing comprehensive and compassionate care to our patients in our state of the art clinic, we offer sports physicals, CDL medical exams, and Assisted Living Facility visits. To make an appointment, call 719.595.7585.
Editors Note: This article was submitted by: Marian Heesaker, Family Nurse Practitioner at Parkview Adult Medicine Clinic

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Dr Byard's Cold & Flu Season Guide

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