In today's fast-paced society, it's often tempting to drop in at a walk-in clinic or an urgent care facility when someone in your family is ill. However, there are numerous benefits to building a relationship with a family practitioner and scheduling ongoing appointments with them. Not only will you be able to easily see the doctor when you're ill, but you can also enjoy the following benefits: 

Routine Health Screenings

When you make regular appointments with your family doctor, they'll work through a series of specific health screening tests with each member of your family. Your children will receive annual checkups and vaccines and will be screened for various illnesses. You'll also be screened for standard illnesses and receive various age-specific tests, such as a mammogram, a colonoscopy, or a bone density screening. These standard health appointments can catch the symptoms of major illnesses before they become severe so that you can begin treatment as soon as possible. This routine testing is a vital part of ongoing medical care. 

Manage Chronic Illnesses

If you or a family member suffer from a chronic illness like depression, arthritis, diabetes, or asthma, a family doctor can be extremely helpful while you manage the symptoms. These professionals will be able to keep detailed records of the tests they've ordered, medications they've tried, and specialists that they've referred you to. This will provide you with a detailed, comprehensive history of your illness and treatment. This can be especially useful if you find yourself trying different treatments over time or if your illness is progressing and you're trying to work out a treatment plan. 

Improved Communications 

Often one family will see the same doctor for many years. This means that this medical professional will get to know you and your specific medical history. They'll know about any medical issues your children have. They'll know which treatments have already been tried, and which were successful. This means that the communication between you and your doctor will be much easier, as you won't have to review your medical history each time you have a new symptom or need to try a new medication. This improved communication can lower your stress and make it easier to keep up with any ongoing medical issues that you experience in your family. 

If you're ready to start building an ongoing relationship with a local provider, consider working with a family doctor. Contact one near you today to schedule an initial exam. 

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