6 Important Roles of a Family Medicine Doctor

Do you ever hear someone say something along the lines of, “they’ve been our family medicine doctor for years”? Well, there’s a reason for this. Unlike doctors who specialize in a specific field – say an obstetrician, gynecologist, or urologist, etc. – family physicians cater to several different needs within an entire family, and sometimes a couple generations will even use the same family medicine doctor! 

Because family physicians don’t hone in on just one specific type of disease or part of the body, they have to acquire and maintain a broad spectrum of skills and knowledge that will ultimately serve the needs of each individual patient and/or their families. When describing the work of a family practice doctor, an article puts it simply: “The scope of their practice is not defined by diagnoses or procedures but by human needs.”

6 Roles Your Family Medicine Doctor Should be Practicing

Once you’ve found a family practice doctor who you trust and have a mutual respect for, it’s hard to switch physicians – and we don’t blame you! Yet, if you’re just starting out or potentially wanting to switch family practitioners, here are some general things that a good family medicine doctor should be actively practicing:

1. Take on All Ages and Genders

After you’ve found the right fit, you should be able to stick with your family practice doctor for years to come because they provide complete, comprehensive care to all patients – no matter your age, gender, or phase of life. Family practitioners are trained to treat a variety of different health conditions on a large scale, so you should feel confident in your doctor no matter where you are in life. It’s also worth noting that you don’t have to have a family in order to see a family medicine doctor. You can be a single patient and still meet regularly with a family practitioner.

2. Educate Patients on Everyday Health

We tend to think doctors “come to the rescue” once a patient is sick. Yet, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians, practitioners are obligated to educate and inform patients on how to prevent, understand, and manage illness – this covers everything from physical to mental health needs.

A family practice doctor should:

• Help you navigate and manage stress + anger relief

• Suggest appropriate physical exercise for your specific fitness level

• Assess weight management and nutrition

• Help with fertility testing and the counseling associated

• Refer you to services that specialize in mental health

The list could go on, but the point is, your family practitioner is there to help you. They will use their training and knowledge to assist in any and all questions you may have regarding your overall health.

3. Look for Early Signs of Emerging Conditions or Unusual Symptoms

If you’re not a trained physician, you’re not expected to see the signs of an emerging illness or health issue. That’s where your trusted family medicine doctor comes into play. Chances are they’ve been treating you for years – they should know your medical history like the back of their hand. More so, Cleveland Clinic suggests they should know your personal history at this point, too.

If something peculiar comes up, they’ll be able to recognize it almost immediately upon a regular checkup. Interestingly, adults in the U.S. who have a primary care provider or family practice doctor are 19% less likely to have a premature death than those who solely see specialists for their healthcare.

Furthermore, your family doctor will often be the first to screen you for early signs of a serious disease or illness. From this, they will be the first to spot an emerging condition, if any. After ordering and performing certain tests, your doctor will then interpret the results for you, monitor your health, and reevaluate further steps if necessary. 

Essentially, your family practice doctor will be there for you every step of the way – from the initial discussions and screenings, to tracking your progress and treating you. They’re also the person you should feel comfortable confiding in if – or when – you do experience unusual symptoms.  

4.  Manage Chronic Illness or Life-Threatening Issues: Chronic illness or disease can make for the most difficult times in a patient’s life. From countless doctor’s appointments and treatments to living life in constant pain, it is extremely helpful to have a family medicine doctor who provides regular personalized care – both physically and emotionally – through these agonizing times. As part of their role, they will continue using diagnostic tests to track your progress and help you determine what the next best step is for your individualized path to recovery. 

5. Manage Common, Everyday Complaints: Taking things back down a notch, your family practitioner is also your go-to person for common complaints like the flu, bladder infections, sinus infections, concerns about your child’s weight, etc. Acting as a one-stop shop, your family practice doctor  can assess any of these seemingly smaller problems and provide appropriate prescriptions or tests based on the need. 

6. An Advocate and Go-To Medical Resource for All Things Health: No matter what, a family medicine doctor will stay closely involved and informed. You should never have to sort out a medical issue on your own; the family practitioner is there to act as your primary care physician – meaning, they will supervise their own team (nurses, physical assistants, medical assistants, etc.) to ensure everything goes smoothly for you, coordinate with other specialists or health care providers with a more concentrated focus, and walk with you every step of the way. 

Join Us at Elevated Health for an Experienced Family Medicine Doctor!

Looking for a family medicine doctor who will advocate for you? Here at Elevated Health in Huntington Beach, our physicians provide individualized plans for each patient and/or their family. Our providers are compassionate, trustworthy, and take on a small batch of patients to ensure each person is receiving full attention and care. Plus, they make themselves available to talk anywhere, at any time! Come join us at Elevated Health for a personalized healthcare experience. 

Join Elevated Health today by clicking here.