For those of us in the great USA, we live in a country full of easy access to care with urgent cares and telemedicine (admittedly, not as much in rural areas), the ability to self-diagnose through Google searches and the freedom to self-treat via over the counter medications, supplements, and substances such as alcohol or drugs. We can now seek treatment directly from a specialist for nearly any ailment, no matter how minor and there are a slew of other providers to consult with, such as nutritionists, alternative health providers, and health coaches. Given all of these new options however, you still need a “regular” doctor with whom you can build a regular relationship.

Here are 9 reasons why.

•  We want to keep you healthy–If you never get sick and don’t take any meds, that’s great! Your regular annual wellness exam includes age appropriate cancer screenings, chronic disease screenings, identification of risk factors based on personal history, family history, symptoms, and labs and more.

• We help you to be proactive by discussing your long term goals and plans (e.g. family planning, reviewing your diet, activity levels and spiritual health). Consider us as the quarterback on your team. We are the leader of the offense (although we play defense too).

• We help identify sleep, mood, or substance use issues that you may not yet be aware are problematic.

• You get continuity! Instead of fragmented care from going to various urgent cares or walk-in clinics and seeing different providers each time, you see the same doctor who knows you. 

• We are less likely to prescribe unnecessary medications. Studies have shown that urgent cares and telemedicine companies more frequently prescribe antibiotics, steroids, and pain medication when they aren’t indicated or needed.

• We manage chronic diseases and coordinate care if you are seeing specialists or taking medications from various doctors. I often have patients come in with a box full of medications that they don’t understand what they are and why they’re taking them. This signifies that they also may not understand their diagnosis. We help to translate your health status and put everything in perspective for you.

• We can offer resources if you are experiencing any socioeconomic barriers in your life. 

• Family medicine physicians, Internists and Pediatricians are trained to recognize and treat ~80-90% of what walks through our door. We can sort through a list of possible diagnoses in our head and quickly rule out many conditions based on what you tell us and what we see. This is something Google cannot do. For what we cannot treat, we can initiate a workup and refer you to the appropriate specialist. 

• A good PCP is your doctor who you can trust and has your best interest at heart! 

Don’t forget to schedule your annual wellness visit/physical this year. 

If you are in Georgia or Florida, Spark Performance and Wellness is now accepting new patients for primary care. Schedule your complimentary meet and greet with Dr. Ford today!