What Can a Primary Care Doctor do?

Primary Care at Penn Highlands Healthcare

Having a primary care provider, or PCP, is the backbone of good health. PCPs can be physicians, nurse practitioners, or physician assistants who know your health history, recommend screenings and care for you and your whole family through minor illnesses and diseases.

Whether you have a minor injury or sinus infection, or you’re dealing with a chronic condition such as high blood pressure or osteoarthritis, your PCP is your partner in making sure you get the care you need.

PCPs help you avoid emergencies, and you are more likely to have better health if you visit your PCP regularly.

At Penn Highlands Healthcare, our primary care providers include internal medicine, family medicine and pediatric practices to cover all ages of life.

Internal Medicine practices see patients from age 21 and older, and offer specialized care for older patients, including geriatrics.
Family Medicine practices see patients of all ages, starting at birth. They can take care of a whole family—mom, dad, children, and grandparents.
Pediatric practices see patients from birth to age 21.

How a Primary Care Provider Can Improve Your Healthcare

Benefits to having a primary care physician include:

It’s faster and easier to schedule unexpected appointments.
Yearly wellness visits, which are usually covered by insurance, can help you assess your current condition and avoid health emergencies in the future.
Having someone who understands your health history and can use that information to help keep you well and to better understand how to treat you if you do become ill.
Avoiding drug interactions because one practice can oversee all of your medications.
Having a single point of contact for all of your medical needs.

If you need more than your PCP’s help, he or she can refer you to a specialist and work hand-in-hand with them to accommodate your healthcare needs.

Find A Doctor

At Penn Highlands Healthcare, we have many practices in locations throughout the region. Use our Find A Doctor service to learn more about our providers and to find the right ones to fit you and your family.

Primary Care at Penn Highlands