From disease prevention to health system navigation, primary care providers are vital

It’s easy to think of a primary care visit as just a quick, annual box to check. However, those routine visits—and having a strong relationship with a primary care provider—can play a critical role in detecting and preventing serious conditions like heart disease, cancer, diabetes and chronic illness.

According to Cheryl Jackson, MD, an internist at Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic Medical Group’s Primary Care Darby, preventative care is vital in catching such conditions before they become life-threatening.

“Simply checking your blood pressure can literally prevent you from having a stroke or heart disease if you catch it early,” says Dr. Jackson. “Most serious conditions, they don’t happen overnight. They develop over time. The best time to intervene is when you are asymptomatic—once you start having symptoms, it becomes harder to treat.”

When a primary care provider detects something concerning, they’ll refer the patient to a specialist, whether it be a cardiologist or oncologist. But their role is far from over. PCPs are, explains Dr. Jackson, “team leaders” who help patients navigate the often-complex health care system. From scheduling appointments with specialists on their behalf to simplifying test results, PCPs make sure each patient feels informed about what’s going on with their body and next steps.

During each visit, whether it’s routine or to discuss a condition, PCPs build trust by seeing the whole person—not just their medical history. They get to know about patients’ interests and families, as well as social needs, for which they can assist. This, in turn, allows patients to see their PCP as their “go-to” confidant throughout their care journey.

“Patients trust primary care providers to know them comprehensively because we have that whole person approach. Not only do we help them navigate the health system, we also know their social needs. We might know what’s going on in the home and how to get them extra services,” says Dr. Jackson. “It’s about a longitudinal relationship—recognizing social influences on their health, addressing them and connecting them to the right resources.”

As part of that relationship building, PCPs meet patients where they are. While someone might not be able to afford copays for numerous tests, Dr. Jackson helps narrow it down to the most important one—such as a colonoscopy or mammogram—depending on their risk factors and family history. Most importantly, she explains why certain screenings shouldn’t be skipped or why certain actions could be detrimental.

“It’s about understanding the patient, offering alternatives, being pragmatic in how you make suggestions,” says Dr. Jackson. “For example, everyone knows you shouldn’t smoke. But you can’t just tell someone to stop. They know that and don’t need to be ashamed. But sometimes the changes are so slow and insidious, they don’t realize they have diminished function until I ask more pointed questions, such as, ‘Do you have shortness of breath when walking up steps?’ Then the light bulb goes off. That’s more motivational for them to stop smoking. It’s how you present things—you do it in a non-judgmental way.”

Visit Family Medicine for more information on primary care at Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic and to make an appointment.