Gratitude for Primary Care Doctors

I saw my "Primary" today. What does that exactly mean? I do not think Primary Care Docs or "PCPs" (Primary Care Providers) get near enough credit for what they do. Their job is CHALLENGING. They have a broad scope and responsibility. Primary Care Physicians are the kind of doctor many (if interested in becoming a doctor) grow up admiring and envisioning themselves becoming since traditionally they are ones first experience with formal medical care. Ideally you have an established relationship with a PCP and maintain that relationship long term.

You can be considered a Primary Care Doc if your residency training is in Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, a combo of the two (Med/Peds), and even Obstetrics and Gynecology. Some work strictly outpatient (in clinics outside of a hospital), some work both outpatient and inpatient (hospital work). My Family Practitioner for example before my doctor now, saw me in clinic as a patient, and also had the skillset to deliver my babies in a hospital setting.

I love and really appreciate my primary care doc. A classic joke is that doctors make terrible patients and I am included. I literally gave birth and never took the time to go back to my post-partum appointment and honestly neglected myself. I feel so much better having a clean bill of health and doctor to turn to who knows me well in case I'm NOT well.

Since I share patients with her, I glow when I hear her patients say things like "Dr. Kibler saved my life. She really listened to me when many didn't". Great primaries listen to patients, perform thorough physical exams, address acute and chronic issues, and coordinate focused work-ups with specialists like myself. They maintain you too! Today we covered everything from immunizations (got my flu-shot today 🙌), mental health, age appropriate cancer screening guidelines, recreational habits, exercise, and diet! We caught up on childcare and COVID too.

Do you have a Primary Care Doctor or other Primary Healthcare Provider? And if so, have you seen them lately?

Take care of yourself! Fill your tank. How are you to take care of anyone else without a full tank?