Do you have a primary care physician? One doctor that you go to see when you need medical care or have questions?
If you do have a primary care physician do you know if they are a family practitioner or an internal medicine physician? Most people don’t know there is a difference. But there is.
What is an Internist?
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An internist or internal medicine physician is someone who specializes in treating older adolescents and adults.
Pediatricians specialize in children, a family medicine physician can see patients of all ages, and internists specialize in older populations.
Why Should You See An Internist?
An internist understands the aging body — whether in your twenties, nineties, or any where in between.
An internist looks at the whole person and tries to find the underlying issues to the symptoms.
Per Memorial Health, “An internist’s role is often one of a gatekeeper, where they keep a close eye on a patient’s body systems and help manage chronic illnesses.”
Why Should You See A Direct Primary Care Internist?
You may or may not have heard of Direct Primary Care. If not, Direct Primary Care (DPC) is healthcare that does not involve insurance. It is what some call “subscription healthcare”.
You pay a low monthly fee and have access to your doctor through phone calls, a patient portal, telehealth, and office visits — when you need them.
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It is convenient, affordable, and effective. You can learn more about Direct Primary Care in our blog post here. .
In the Direct Primary Care model — it’s like having a doctor in the family.
Instead of going online to play WebMD — because, let’s be honest, most of us have done this. Or going to convenient care because it works with your schedule.
You can go online or pick up the phone and message YOUR doctor — and get a response from a medical professional that knows you!
This is so important because having a doctor that knows you can connect dots that you or a convenient care doctor may not be able to.
Do You have to Have A Chronic Condition to See An Internist?
No, absolutely not. As you age, it can be hard staying healthy. Getting annual physicals with lab work can catch things early on to help you stay healthy.
At Dimensions Direct Primary Care annual physicals and direct access to your internist are all included in your subscription.
What If You Do Have a Chronic Condition?
If you have a chronic condition, you are not alone. According to the CDC, six in ten Americans have at least one chronic condition and four in ten have two or more.
Having a chronic condition can affect — everything. Your health, your quality of life, your mental health, and the list goes on and on.
Having direct access to your doctor is something we don’t have in today’s world. If you have insurance you most likely have to pay a co-pay every time you see your doctor. Therefore you don’t go as often as you should. Or if you don’t have insurance — you don’t go at all.
Think about how it would change your life if you had someone by your side to help you manage your health.
If you are having symptoms or not feeling well. You simply message your doctor. You make a call and schedule a telehealth visit or in person visit.
If you have a chronic condition you know it can be hard to get symptoms under control. In the Direct Primary Care model you have someone by your side who can help you figure out what is working, what is not, and what to try next.
And insurance isn’t involved. So whether or not you have insurance, you can still see your direct primary care physician as much as you need. No co-pay. Just a monthly subscription fee.
Looking Back And Looking Ahead
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It is the last month of 2020. And to say it’s been a rough year is an understatement.
COVID-19 has left most of us in uncertain times and afraid to see the doctor because of what you may be exposed to.
Then there are the other factors of what the pandemic brought. Maybe you are struggling with the weight put on due to your gym being closed. Maybe you are struggling because you are now trying to work from home while homeschooling the kids. Maybe you are struggling because you haven’t gotten to see your friends and loved ones in a while.
Whatever it is — it takes a toll on your health.
And if you are like most people, you are looking forward to the new year. Seriously, it can’t get worse than 2020, right?
You have excitement, dreams, ambitions, and goals. Most likely, some have to do with your health.
Why not develop a New Year’s resolution that is sustainable and effective? Why not partner with a physician that can help you reach your goals?
Direct primary care is a subscription about taking your health back. Get your chronic conditions under control.
Invest in yourself! Direct Primary Care is the best thing you do for your health!
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Dimensions Direct Primary Care
Dr. Sheila Chen is the internist at Dimensions Direct Primary Care. She is currently taking new patients.
Now is the time to take back your health and have a plan for 2021. Whether you are trying to stay healthy or trying to get a condition under control — she can help.
Start the New Year off by getting a physical and bloodwork. Then develop a plan for the year and know that you have someone by your side to help you accomplish your goals.
Contact Dimensions Direct Primary Care today at 571-229-9183 or info@dimensionsdpc.com.
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