Whether it’s nagging back pain, sudden flu symptoms, or an out-of-the-blue rash, your first point of contact when you have a sudden medical need is most likely your local family clinic.

A family clinic is the standard go-to for most people with minor healthcare issues.

Naturally, this doesn’t include emergencies. Emergencies are an exception because they are legitimate and valid reasons to go to the emergency room instead of a family clinic.

If you don’t have an emergency scenario, going to a family clinic is more beneficial for you and your family. In today’s post, we’ll take you through the different benefits of going to a family care clinic.

Family Clinic Doctors Track Your Health Cycle

Family clinic doctors can see patients of all ages – whether it’s babies, children, teens, middle-aged adults, and seniors.

These doctors frequently see the same patients for several years and throughout their life. This scenario is usual with family clinics.

Family doctors treat a wide range of health conditions. Thus, these healthcare professionals are suited to be your primary care physicians at any point in your life.

This setup allows you to have a lasting connection with your family doctor. You can trust that they are someone who knows your and your family’s health cycle; should any issues arise, you can lean on their expertise and experience treating you.

Family Doctors Know Your Complete Medical History

When you go to the same doctor for most of your life, he or she can identify and distinguish your medical history, allowing them to make a more specific diagnosis.

Your family doctor can also notice any red flags to watch out for, medication you should or shouldn’t try, and watch out for any changes in your body and overall health throughout the years.

Also, a family doctor usually sees members – from different generations – of the same family. This lets a doctor study any genealogical-related patterns to be concerned about.

For instance, if your family doctor knew one or both of your parents have a congenital condition, and their parents also did, that’s a most likely a red flag for you.

Your family doctor can recommend you take the right steps – whether it’s getting genetic counseling or acquiring a health screening – not only for you but for your other family members who are also at risk.

Knowing your complete family medical history is part of a bigger picture. Occasionally, it also helps when a healthcare professional treating your children or other younger family members know certain situations so that the doctor can look out for anxiety or stress triggers.

Going Beyond Medical Care and Treatment

Yes, you to your family clinic for your annual physicals. However, your family doctor can also advise you on how to manage chronic conditions.

These health conditions include diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, or other severe health issues. Family doctors can also treat injuries and sinus infections. These are merely a few examples; they can treat so many more conditions, some of which you may not even be aware that you have.

If the family clinic is larger and more equipped, family doctors can also perform minor surgical operations. If not, they can refer you to the nearest medical facility that can facilitate the procedure.

Helping You Find the Right Specialist

If your condition requires you to see a medical specialist – whether it’s for cancer, heart disease, or other chronic and severe health issues, your family doctor can refer you to one.

Not only will you get a recommendation, but you can also trust that whoever your family doctor is referring you to is someone they also have confidence in.

Services You Can Get at a Family Clinic

Preventive Care

Your family physician can guide you in the right direction when it comes to preventive care. This entails giving you the proper education and resources in health maintenance and disease prevention.

Subsequently, this can take the form of the following:

• Weight control advice
• Nutritional counseling
• Fertility counseling and fertility testing
• Stress relief management
• Anger management
• Physical exercises you can do depending on your fitness level and capability

Diagnosis of Emerging Health Conditions

This service goes hand-in-hand with preventive care. Because you go to your family doctor for an extended period of time, they know your medical history.

This familiarity allows them to see any health issues or abnormal health patterns. Your doctor will know what is considered as “normal” for your health. If they detect or monitor any developing condition, your family doctor can immediately recommend the necessary steps to take.

Regular visits to your family clinic will help screen any early signs of serious health conditions such as cancer. Your family doctor can conduct medical tests to detect emerging health issues.

They can then interpret the results of these tests and monitor your progress. You will then be advised to come in at a later time for reevaluation.

You Can Go to a Family Clinic for Your Most Common Medical Issues

When you or your child is coming down with the flu, bladder infection, or other ailments that don’t require the emergency room, you can go to your family clinic.

A family physician is your go-to medical provider when it comes to non-emergency medical situations.

Managing of Chronic Issues

Cancer, stroke, asthma, heart disease, and diabetes are common degenerative and chronic issues managed by family doctors.

They offer ongoing and personalized treatment to their patients. They can also continue with diagnostic tests to monitor your condition.

The results of these tests will allow them to recommend the next best step in your treatment plan.

A family clinic is also connected with mental health workers, pharmacists, social workers, physical therapists, and a collaborative network of health care providers and specialists.

If you need a specific type of treatment, your family doctor can recommend a specialist for you.

Being referred to a specialist will help if you need a more concentrated focus on your treatment plan. Since your family physician is still your primary healthcare provider, they will stay involved and informed in your specialized treatment.