{"id":75249,"date":"2025-10-22T07:03:17","date_gmt":"2025-10-22T13:03:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/?p=75249"},"modified":"2025-10-24T13:57:24","modified_gmt":"2025-10-24T19:57:24","slug":"why-do-i-need-a-primary-care-provider","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/why-do-i-need-a-primary-care-provider\/","title":{"rendered":"The benefits of having a primary care doctor: Strong bonds between patient and doctor improve overall health"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Some people may wonder why they need a primary care doctor. Research shows that people who have close bonds with a primary care provider stay healthier. Photo: UCHealth.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Establishing a relationship with a primary care provider (also called a PCP) means so much more than merely getting an appointment when you\u2019re not feeling well.<\/p>\n

According to medical experts, a sustained and trusting partnership between a patient and a primary care provider results in better health care outcomes for individuals and their communities.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood primary care providers support patients with complex conditions, urgent care issues and everything in between. It\u2019s not just sprained ankles and colds,\u201d said Dr. Brian Harrington<\/a>, a family medicine physician with UCHealth Primary Care – Steamboat Springs<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n

The primary care specialties include family medicine, general internal medicine and pediatrics.<\/p>\n

What does a primary care provider do?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

According to Harrington, primary care uniquely combines a number of aspects, including disease prevention and screening; wellness and preventive care; chronic disease management; coordination of care among health care providers; and integrated care. Additionally, primary care providers work to develop a sustained health partnership over time with patients. They place on emphasis on community and public health.<\/p>\n

How can having a primary care provider improve your health?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201cA strong PCP relationship equals stronger health care combined with lower health care costs and better outcomes,\u201d Harrington said.

Tips for finding a primary care provider<\/a> you can trust. <\/div>\n

He emphasizes the importance of establishing a primary care home as soon as possible, laying the groundwork for a collaborative relationship by communicating with your PCP early and often, and sharing health information. This allows them to review your history over time, notice changes or patterns in your health, and identify new symptoms.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverybody should establish a primary care medical home,\u201d said Harrington. \u201cThat\u2019s where you will have those important medical conversations, and a personalized patient-centered plan can be created for you. It\u2019s not about a specific organ or part of your body, but about the whole person.\u201d<\/p>\n

The importance of having a medical home<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When you establish a medical home with a primary care provider, they become your location for:

Females: Do you need a OB-GYN and a PCP? Learn more.<\/a> <\/div>\n