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What is a Primary Care Provider (PCP)?
A PCP is your main health care provider in non-emergency situations. Your PCP’s role is to:
- Provide preventive care and teach healthy lifestyle choices
- Identify and treat common medical conditions
- Assess the urgency of your medical problems and direct you to the best place for that care
- Make referrals to medical specialists when necessary
Your PCP is often involved in your care for a long time, so it is important to select someone with whom you will work well. Having a primary care provider can give you a trusting, ongoing relationship with one medical professional over time. There are several different types of PCPs:
- Internists — doctors who have completed a residency in internal medicine and are board certified in this specialty. The scope of their practice includes the prevention, detection and treatment of illnesses in adults.
- Family practitioners — doctors who have completed a family practice residency and are board certified for this specialty. The scope of their practice includes children and adults and may include obstetrics and minor surgery.
- Pediatricians — doctors who have completed a pediatric residency and are board certified in this specialty. The scope of their practice includes the care of newborns, infants, children, and adolescents.
- Nurse practitioners (NP) and physician assistants (PA) — a health professional who has completed a post collegiate program with advanced education and training in the diagnosis and management of common medical conditions, including chronic illness, with physician supervision.
Adults requiring hospitalization will be seen by a “hospitalist.” A hospitalist is a doctor who is employed by the hospital but maintains communication with your primary care physician.