The healthcare landscape is changing, nationally and particularly here in Maryland, where hospitals are continuing to move towards being better partners in the health of our patients, as well as the greater community.
A major component of living your best health is a relationship with a trusted primary care physician.
Dr. Justin Elfrey, Internal Medicine Physician with Saint Agnes Medical Group, sheds light on what one should look for in choosing a PCP, which screenings are important at various stages of your life, and what you can do to get the most out of your next visit to the doctor.
Look at it as a health partnership
When you build trust with a physician who understands your health and your priorities you ensure continuity of care. That doesn’t just mean medical problems but also includes any social or financial situations that can have major impact on a patient’s health.
The better your physician knows you the better he or she is able to care for you. Research has shown that that having a PCP can lead to better quality of care and better health outcomes for patients.
“By having the same PCP year after year, your provider is more likely to notice subtle changes in your health. This regular monitoring may help to prevent serious illness and also enable early diagnosis of some medical conditions.” says Dr. Elfrey.
Your PCP can also help you to navigate through the various points of the healthcare system such as seeing a specialist or transitioning from the hospital.
Expect personal treatment
“Patients want to feel that they are valued,” says Dr. Elfrey. “Patients should expect to be given personal attention and treatment.”
With so many health care options available, patients place a premium on personalized care and convenience, like same-day appointments, after-hours care, and multiple specialties (i.e., lab, radiology, pharmacy) located under one roof.
Saint Agnes Medical Group physicians understand their patients’ needs and are located throughout the greater Baltimore area. Saint Agnes Medical Group Catonsville on Route 40, where Dr. Elfrey practices, embraces a multidisciplinary team approach to healthcare and a design that aims to make healthcare more convenient than ever for patients in the Greater Baltimore and Howard County area.
It’s also important that all your providers have access to your electronic medical records (EMR). At Saint Agnes Medical Group, your PCP and all of your specialists have electronic access to your labs, medication lists, allergies, and notes from previous visits, which allows for more coordinated care.
EMR is just one technology that is elevating the patient experience. Saint Agnes is building virtual care consultation technologies, expanding patient portals so you can view your health records from anywhere and developing other tools to make accessing healthcare more convenient for our patients.
Plan for key screenings
Dr. Elfrey recommends that patients have a conversation with their PCP to determine the appropriate timing of various screening tests, which can vary based on family history and other factors. This is typically done during an annual physical.
Typical screening includes mammogram and PAP testing for women and prostate examination for men. In addition, most men and women should also undergo colon cancer screening beginning at age 50.
Get the most out of a visit
It helps to make a list of questions for your physician ahead of the visit. Some common questions include:
· How often should I have my cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure checked?
· Other than an annual flu shot, are there other immunizations that I need?
· Should I see another specialist, dentist or optometrist related to chronic conditions?
· If you were recently diagnosed with a chronic condition such as diabetes, are there other screenings or check-ups that should be scheduled?
If this is your first visit to a new physician, bring your insurance card, a list of past medical events and their approximate dates, as well as any chronic conditions, medications and names of any other doctors who care for you.
The most important thing that you can do is to take that first step and schedule a visit with a primary care physician today. Saint Agnes Healthcare offers a network of conveniently-located primary care physicians across the greater Baltimore area to help you stay healthy all along the continuum of care. Learn more and find a physician at www.TeamSaintAgnes.org.
