The Importance of Primary Care

Everybody knows it's important to have a primary care doctor.  Right?  So, why do so many patients tell me "I don't have a doctor right now, but I don't have any issues," "I avoid seeing my doctor," or "I'll get a doctor once I really need one" ?  There is a proven link between an active relationship with a primary care doctor and living longer!

A 2011, National Medicare study "found that people who visited a primary care physician more often were more likely to receive cancer screenings and had lower mortalities for both colorectal and all cause mortality. “Persons with 5 to 10 visits had 16% lower colorectal cancer mortality...compared to with persons with 0 or 1 visit.” (Ferrante et al)

According to the American Academy of Family Practice, 

• "Evidence shows that access to primary care can help us live longer, healthier lives.  
• Studies suggest that as many as 127,617 deaths per year in the United States could be averted through an increase in the number of primary care physicians.  
• In areas of the country where there are more primary care providers per person, death rates for cancer, heart disease, and stroke are lower and people are less likely to be hospitalized.
• An increase of 1 primary care doctor per 10,000 people can decrease costly and unnecessary care."

Having a primary care doctor before things get messy is the best strategy to a long and healthy life.  More information on establishing a primary care relationship with Dr. Hedde at Direct Doctors...