The importance of family physicians in the overall healthcare system cannot be overemphasized. They provide health care to the vast majority of patients. Indeed, over 25 percent of hospital visits in the US are to family physicians. About 214 million Americans visit family physicians every year. This is over 74 million more visits than visits to the next largest medical specialty. The reason for this has to do with the fact that family doctors provide comprehensive care to patients of all genders and ages, and they can handle a wide variety of health issues. A reliable Conroe family doctor will not just treat your condition; he or she will also take care of you. Below are some of the critical roles played by Family physicians.

Preventive Care

Perhaps, prevention is the most appropriate way of dealing with most health problems. Since your family physician is a professional that you have visited for almost every health concern that you have had, they have a deep understanding of your body systems, and they can easily know the health issues that you are most prone to. Therefore, your family doctor can help you to come up with comprehensive preventive measures. For instance, they can help you with

  • Nutritional and weight control counseling
  • Fertility tests and counseling
  • Stress management tips
  • Getting the best forms of physical exercise and therapy to keep yourself fit

Diagnose Emerging Conditions

Your family doctor understands your medical history. He or she knows the difference between what is normal for you and what may seem like a more serious condition. Their familiarity with your medical records puts them in an excellent position to recognize even the slightest changes that could indicate that there is a more serious underlying issue. In any case, your family doctor is the first person you are going to see when you feel unwell, and he or she will be the first to screen you for serious health conditions such as cancer. Therefore, he or she will be the first to detect the earliest symptoms of any emerging issue.

Managing Chronic Illnesses

Chronic illnesses are diseases that cannot be cured entirely, prevented by a vaccine, nor disappear on themselves. The only thing that can be done is managing them so that they do not put a patient’s life at risk nor give them significant discomfort. Examples of such conditions include asthmas, arthritis, and diabetes, among others. Family doctors are great when it comes to helping patients manage chronic illnesses. They carry out regular diagnostic tests to assess the progress and advice patients on the next course of action based on the personalized treatment plans.

The Takeaway

Overall, it is apparent that family doctors are very important, and no matter how healthy you think you are, you need one in your life. If you are looking for an experienced family doctor, Dr. Kyle Scarborough of Family Life Medical is your best bet. Contact them today for more information.