Pub. 1 2021 Issue 2

27 By Teresa Liter, SCL Health Montana THE IMPORTANCE OF PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS O ne of the most important benefits of good car maintenance is that you will give the vehicle a longer life. Ideally, maintaining your car will not require as much repair on its parts. You should regularly check the fluid levels, tire pressure, lights, brakes, and battery. If you keep these parts in good shape, they’ll likely last longer. The same applies to the human body. Generally speaking, people in good health rarely need medications or need to see a specialist. So it’s probably natural that most individuals give little thought to selecting a primary care provider (PCP). At some point, though, everyone will feel under the weather, which might call for a medical opinion. This is where and when it makes sense to have a provider you can trust and act as the first point of contact in a health care system. A PCP can provide preventive care, teach healthy lifestyle choices, identify and treat common medical conditions, and make referrals to medical specialists when needed. Many patients, once they find a PCP they like, stay with that provider for decades. With this kind of long-term relationship, PCPs develop a baseline for your well-being and get to know you and your family, allowing for optimal total health management. The relationship you build with your primary care provider is one of the most important you will ever have. The best PCPs are great communicators who work in teams that keep the patient at the center of all diagnostic and treatment activities. A PCP team often comprises medical assistants, nurses, pharmacists, and social workers. At any given time, a patient will need support from the team member best qualified to find a solution to a specific problem. This approach extends the reach and efficiency of busy clinicians and helps patients navigate a complicated health care system. When choosing a PCP, it is essential to consider your current health status and needs. Those with complex needs or chronic medical illness would benefit most from a PCP team that can help with all aspects of health care. Looking for a practice that is a certified medical home is one way to find a good PCP team. Ask questions about the team and how it works. If you are currently healthy and do not have extensive medical needs, now is a great time to establish a relationship with a PCP who can get to know you and help you meet your health care goals. They will also be there when you need them to ensure you have the means for longer life. SCL Health has been a partner of the Montana Auto Dealer Association Trust since 2015. We are proud to offer medical resources to ensure members can access the health care they need when and where they need it. Thank you for trusting SCL Health with you and your family’s health care needs. Visit SCLHealth.org/Montana to select a PCP and schedule online 24 hours a day.