Health Is Primary at HDH Family Care

We asked three of our primary care providers at HDH Family Care: Why is it important to have a primary care provider and receive routine care?

Dr. Kevin Johnston, MD:

“Probably the most important reason to have a primary care provider is that there are multiple conditions that don’t really arise with symptoms. People generally say, ‘Well, I’m feeling good, why would I go to the doctor?’ But there are some things like blood pressure, cholesterol and some cancers, where we really want to identify problems long before symptoms occur. It’s also important to have a primary care provider you know and that you see routinely, so that they know what your “normal” is. That way, when a problem arises, it’s a little bit easier for them to figure it out. They know how healthy you are, what your communication style is, and what types of things exist in your family history. They can tailor their approach to your care a little bit easier than someone that’s meeting you for the first time. Having that relationship with a provider that you’ve known over time can improve your medical care when you need it.”

Dr. Chris Richardson, DO:

“There are multiple things primary care providers do for patients. One is that we screen for lots of different medical conditions — things that if we can catch early, we’re able to head off and treat, reducing complications and issues down the road. There’s also evidence that shows that primary care saves patients money on healthcare costs. People that have a primary care provider and see them regularly actually save up to 33 percent on their healthcare costs over their lifetime, compared to people who see only specialists or don’t have a primary care provider at all — so that’s something to keep in mind as well.”

Wa Chan, PA-C:

“It’s important to have some type of preventative care and be followed by a primary care provider. They can check your lab tests, check for any screenings you need, and do the preventative care needed to keep you healthy and keep you from becoming unhealthy.”

Call HDH Family Care at 541-573-2074 to establish care with a primary care provider.