Have a sniffle or sneeze but refuse to go to your primary doctor?

The Patient’s Problem

You’re not alone. The average American goes to the doctor just four times per year. Unfortunately, even those four times can seem like too many, especially if a visit to your primary doctor goes anything like this:

• You can’t get an appointment right away or at a convenient time
• You sit in the waiting room for what feels like forever
• Then you sit in the exam room for even longer
• A nurse quietly takes your vitals and says the doctor will be right in
• More waiting follows
• Your primary doctor comes in, asks you a few brief questions, and says you probably have “this or that” on his way out the door
• The doctor prescribes a medication that you don’t fully understand
• You pay a copay (in addition to your insurance premium) on the way out the door
• You’re left wondering to yourself if the diagnosis is correct, if the prescription is necessary, and if you’ll have to come back in two weeks because you’re still sick

After an experience like that, it’s no wonder Americans see their doctors significantly less than people in Japan, Germany, and Canada, to name a few. It’s hard to like someone you hardly know and who doesn’t take the time to get to know you.

The Doctor’s Perspective

On the other hand, according to verywellhealth.com, primary doctors typically make less money than specialists and, due to lower insurance reimbursements, have to see more patients each day. This leaves fewer primary doctors and results in the experience described above.

The Result

It’s no surprise that these days people, millennials especially, are opting not to see a primary doctor at all. Avoiding a primary doctor may seem like a smart solution, but there are two big reasons not to. First, most insurances require referrals from a primary doctor before covering the costs of specialists. Second, seeing a primary doctor on a regular basis establishes a baseline for your individual health. Seeing a doctor that knows you and your health history is important role in the early detection of many diseases.

You may be thinking it’s a lose-lose situation with no hope and you are destined to repeat this vicious cycle every flu, allergy and cold season. If that’s the case, Innova PC has exciting news!

The Answer

Innova Primary Care is breaking the cycle. Our whole-health approach helps you prevent non-communicable diseases by addressing the real problems, not just the symptoms. Our friendly, capable staff is committed to giving you the best customer experience possible. The Innova Primary Care office is designed to make you feel comfortable and at ease. We take the time to explain each step, each diagnosis, and each medication and to answer each of your questions until you feel knowledgeable and empowered to manage your health. Our goal is to improve your lifelong health and improve the standard of care given by primary doctors.

If you want to take control of your health with the help of dedicated medical professionals, schedule an appointment today!