Types of Services Involved in Primary Care

As a complex individual with unique needs, you need a healthcare provider who can address most of your health and wellness concerns. Access to a provider who knows and understands your health history, wellness, and goals is important to your current and future health. Your primary care provider is usually your first point of contact in healthcare, eliminating or reducing or eliminating the need for emergency or urgent care. There are examples of services offered under the primary care practice San Pedro. 

Cancer screening

Cancer screening is a test that checks for cancer or abnormal cells that may become cancerous in individuals who have no symptoms. It allows your doctor to spot cancer early when the success rate for treatment is higher, and you are less likely to succumb to it. There are several cancer screenings; the one your doctor recommends depends on your risk factors. For example, women between 21 to 29 years of age should have a Pap test every three years. However, a Pap test is not required for women below 21 years, even if sexually active.

Birth control services

Birth control or contraception refers to methods or devices that help you prevent pregnancy before it begins. You may consider using a birth control method if you are sexually active but don’t want to have a baby soon. With so many birth control methods available, choosing the one suitable for you may be challenging. The best birth control method is one that you can use consistently and doesn’t cause bothersome side effects. Your primary care provider is in the best position to help you choose the right contraception based on other factors such as efficacy, convenience, privacy concerns, and affordability.

Diabetes screening

Diabetes screening checks your blood sugar levels, mainly if you are at risk of diabetes or have symptoms. Type 2 diabetes, the most common type, develops gradually without symptoms, hence why your primary care provider may recommend screening if you are at risk.

Wound care

A chronic wound is a skin wound that heals slowly, heals and recurs, or does not heal at all. Ongoing wounds can result from skin cancers, burns, trauma, or an underlying medical condition like diabetes. A non-healing wound requires medical attention, especially if you have a health problem. Your doctor may recommend a treatment for a chronic wound, depending on your age, overall health, and the nature of your wound. For example, you can clean the wound to remove dirt and debris, often done in the shower. In the case of a traumatic injury, your provider may administer tetanus vaccination. Sometimes a deep wound needs to be explored surgically; you will receive local anesthesia before the procedure.

Ultrasound

An ultrasound is a medical test that allows your doctor to view internal images of structures in your body. Your healthcare provider may perform an ultrasound for various reasons, evaluate blood flow, monitor pregnancy, check the thyroid gland, examine a breast lump, diagnose gallbladder disease, or guide a needle for a biopsy.

For primary care services, visit your provider at Harbor Community Health Centers.