According to the WHO, primary care is a model of care that supports first-contact, accessible, continuous, comprehensive, and coordinated person-focused care. With an aim to introduce optimization into people’s overall health, primary care services believe in the equitable distribution of resources. 

That is the branch of medicine that keeps an eye on the overall health of the patient. Usually, the primary care doctor conducts annual physicals and pre-employment physicals, see patients that may have the signs and symptoms that alarm them, and they are looking for possible causes. In this situation, the doctor can order blood tests and/or X-rays to determine the disease/disorder and prescribe treatment or referral to a specialist.

Here are the five core functions of such a facility: 

#1 - First contact accessibility: This one concerns the strategic accessibility of healthcare facilities at a primary contact point. 

#2 - Continuity: It defines the long-term accessibility to the health care facilities after the first point of contact. 

#3 - Comprehensiveness: it is concerned with providing a diverse range of services in terms of promotive, protective, and palliative care. 

#4 - Coordination: It is concerned with combining health services at all healthcare levels. 

#5 - People-centred: The services are directed to help people in the best ways. 

What Are The Elements Of Primary Care? 

The three main elements of primary care are:

i) Provision of essential drugs.

ii) Adequate supply of safe water and sanitation.

iii) Proper food supply and proper nutrition

Primary Care Services in Rancho Mirage At Indus Medical Associates 

Here are the services that we offer under primary care at Indus Medical associates:

#1 - Annual Physical Checkup 

The annual physical checkup is crucial to any doctor’s visit, especially in a primary care setting. Here your doctor will do a thorough body examination and will listen to your complaints, and may come up with a counseling attitude. 

The annual exam usually takes in a sequential manner starting with history, then vital signs, general examination, heart exam, lung exam, head, and neck exam, abdominal exam, neurological exam, dermatological exam, and extremities exam. 

Additionally, the male physical exam includes a testicular exam, a hernia exam, and a penis and prostate exam. 

Pelvic and breast examinations are the key elements of a female’s physical examination. 

#2 - Cancer Screenings 

Some tests allow early diagnosis of cancer before the signs and symptoms appear. Certain tests and physical examinations are performed to reach an early diagnosis. It includes: 

• Mammography 

• Clinical Breast Examination

• MRI 

• Human Papilloma Virus Test

• Pap Test 

• Colonoscopy 

• Sigmoidoscopy 

• Fecal Occult Blood Test

• Double Contrast Barium Enema 

• Stool DNA Tests 

• Digital Rectal Examination 

• Prostate Specific Antigen Test 

• Full Body Skin Exam 

• Dermoscopy 

#3 - Cardiovascular Health Screenings

The cardiovascular screening tests begin at age 20. Here are some key screening tests for monitoring cardiovascular health: 

• Blood Pressure 

• Fasting Lipoprotein Profile

• Body Weight 

• Blood Glucose 

• Waist Circumference 

• Blood Glucose Test 

• Discussion about smoking, physical activity, and diet. 

#4 - Medication Prescriptions

The main goal of medication prescription in the primary care setting is to relieve early symptoms, reduce morbidity and mortality risk, and improve the quality of life. 

The medications are prescribed only after a thorough examination and investigations to make up for the health-based shortcoming of an individual. 

#5 - Immunization 

According to WHO, Immunization prevents 3.5 to 5 million death annually. There are about 20 vaccines available for life-threatening diseases. Common immunization includes gaining immunity against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, influenza, measles, hepatitis B, and HIV. 

#6 - Minor Surgical Procedures Like Suturing Wounds 

Sutures are used to close wounds to allow healing with a process of primary intention. The doctor uses a thread to shut a wound.  

Several types of suturing styles and materials are available in a hospital setting. All you need to do is to take the instructions of your doctor seriously. It means if a doctor has asked you to get back to him to get the sutures removed, you must see him on time.

#7 - Birth Control Services 

Birth control is an effective method to prevent pregnancy and for effective family planning. Birth control methods are never one-size-fits-all. Several methods are adopted to achieve the purpose: 

• Birth Control Implant 

• Birth Control Patch 

• Birth Control Pill 

• Birth Control Shot 

• Birth Control Vaginal Ring 

• Cervical Cap 

• Diaphragm 

• Condoms

• Fertility Awareness Methods

• Intrauterine Devices 9hormona, copper) 

• Spermicide and Gel 

• Tubal Ligation 

• Oral Contraceptives 

#8 - Ultrasounds 

Diagnostic ultrasounds are carried out with the help of sound waves. It produces images of structure within the body. It is used to diagnose a variety of diseases and cionditions. It is done to diagnose: 

• See the uterus and ovaries

• Diagnose gallbladder disease 

• Diagnose breast lump

• Check for thyroid lump

• For evaluation of metabolic disease

• Guide a needle for biopsy 

• Look for an assessment of inflammation 

#9 - Casting, Splinting, and Bracing 

Bone injuries require immobilization in terms of casting and splinting. This aspect is critical to rehabilitation and allows the healing of the injuries.  

#10 - Wound Care 

A wound needs special care. This usually gets healed with the process of secondary intention. 

#11 - Health Counseling 

Patient counseling starts from the point of first contact. It continues at every other appointment. These health counseling sessions aim at guiding and guarding the health risk factors. 

Wrapping Up 

Primary health care is a way to ensure that all the people in the community, including the rich, the poor, the illiterate, and the sick, get the health care they need at an affordable price. It's a way to make health care available to everyone and to bring health care to the homes of people in the community. Primary health care is one of the most important goals in developing countries, where many people have to walk miles to get to the nearest health care center.

It is usually the very first contact between a person and the health care system. It includes prevention measures for the patients, health services for children and adolescents, health promotion for the entire population, and early detection and control of the disease.