PORTLAND, Ore. — It can be challenging to know what to do when it comes to your health, especially when you're not feeling well and want to get better. But the first step starts with primary care, according to medical professionals at Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon.
"The health care system can be complicated," Executive Medical Director Dr. Tracy Muday said. "There's lots of points of entry and lots of places to go for care."
Muday said primary care is the foundation of the whole healthcare system. Even so, many people wonder why it is so important.
"The power is they get to know you over time, and the power of that relationship is really what makes primary care so effective," said Muday.
She added that even with primary care being so important to your health, some people don't have a primary care doctor. About 85% of baby boomers and older identify as having a primary care doctor. For those that are 20 and younger, fewer than half of them say they have a primary care doctor.
"Your primary care doctor really gets to know you and really gets to know your history," Muday said. "So, when something changes and when something is different, they already have that foundation of knowledge to start with and build on."
Muday added that if your primary care doctor moves, it's important to find a new one right away.
"Figure out what kind of characteristics are important to you, what kinds of skills you want, something that's close to home so it's easy to get to and someone that's got availability," said Muday.
While your primary care doctor should usually be your first contact, there's one exception to this rule: According to medical professionals, symptoms such as chest pains and neurological changes require emergency services.
Muday noted that if your primary care doctor moves, it's important to see if there's another primary doctor at the same location. You won't have to switch locations, and the transition to another primary care doctor from the same team is easier.
Another option, according to Muday, is to call your health plan to help you find a new doctor. More information and resources are available on the Regence website.