BY RICH LALIBERTE
Even if you dont have a medical problem, its helpful to get a checkup annually, says internal medicine physician Jodi Lenko, MD, with LVPG Internal MedicineAlliance Drive in Hazle Township. A primary care physician looks at aspects of health that a specialist may not emphasize, such as weight, diet, exercise, sleeping patterns, smoking cessation, and mental health.
Solve mysteries
Common and troubling symptoms can be caused by a range of problems, and PCPs sleuth out other evidence to discover underlying issues. One of the biggest complaints is fatigue, says family medicine physician Kenneth Sharp, DO, with LVPG Family Medicine Lehighton. I make sure theres not a reason like anemia, infection, thyroid dysfunction, diabetes or Lyme disease. If everything seems normal, we direct the conversation to things like activity, diet, and weight.
Every visit will entail basic checks of blood pressure and weight, along with relevant conversations about diet, exercise, and smoking. Your PCP also will keep tabs on whether youre up to date on immunizations, including flu shots.
Keep abreast of changes
Your doctor may notice shifts in your appearance that you dont. When you see yourself every day, you often dont notice gradual changes, but theyll stand out to me, Sharp says. Guide-lines also change. For example, theres a new shingles vaccine, andthe recommendation now is to get it at 50, not 60, Lenko says.
Seeing the same doctor consistently fosters a relationship that facilitates better care. Ive seen some patients from childhood through adulthood, and Im in tune with their entire health history, Sharp says. I know my patients better than any other care provider.
Monitor your test timetable
Screenings such as colonoscopies, mammograms and blood tests for cholesterol, glucose, and others can vary by age, family history, previous findings, and overall health. Your physician will discuss appropriate tests to order or not, Lenko says. You shouldnt have to worry about tracking everything thats our job.
Simplify your care
People often dont know what kind of doctor to see, and I can help direct them, Sharp says. A person who is short of breath may assume they need a lung doctor but a heart issue is more likely. In many cases, a primary care doctor can provide the care you need.
Refer you to specialists
Specialists focus on an area of expertise. But your primary care doctor knows the big picture of what is happening in your overall health, Lenko says. We help connect doctors and put everything together, so nothing is missed, especially as you get older and health issues get more complicated.
In cases where a specialist can help, your primary care doctor can facilitate expert treatment, often in areas such as cardiology, oncology, orthopedics, rheumatology, endocrinology, and behavioral health. We work closely with other doctors and in many cases have completed first steps that are helpful when you see a specialist, Lenko says.
Provide a variety of care
Primary care physicians all provide excellent general medicine and similar services, but you may prefer one type of doctor over another depending on his or her approach. Internal medicine and family medicine physicians both provide wide-ranging care for adults. Adults who see an internal medicine doctor may take their kids to see a pediatrician, who provides general care specifically for children. Family medicine doctors focus on the entire family, including children. My patients often include multiple members of the same family, Sharp says. A PCP almost becomes part of the family.
