Answers from your primary care physician can reduce your risks and improve well-being.
Your primary care physician (PCP) not only is there for you when you’re sick, but also is an ongoing partner in managing your health throughout your life.
“Seeing your PCP regularly gives the doctor a baseline of your overall health and wellness,” says family medicine physician Evan Wright, DO, a member of RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group. “This helps us together monitor your risk for chronic health conditions such as diabetes or high cholesterol—which can take years to develop—and intervene quickly to prevent larger problems down the road.”
Developing a rapport with your PCP helps you work as a team to detect problems faster, foster healthy habits and improve your physical and mental well-being.
Whether you see your doctor regularly, haven’t had an office visit in a while or are seeing a PCP for the first time, asking the right questions can help build a productive relationship and guide you to better health. Start with these:
1. What risk factors are affecting my health the most?
This is the most important question to ask, says Dr. Wright. Your PCP can help you understand your biggest risks based on many factors, including your age, weight, personal health history and family history of disease. Your doctor will then use this information to develop a screening plan that works best for you.
“For example, if your mother had breast cancer at age 45, we may recommend that you start yearly mammograms at age 35—five years younger than current screening guidelines for women at regular risk of breast cancer,” Dr. Wright says.
Also talk with your PCP about your personal health habits—to not only improve but build on ways you’re already lowering risks. “I’m seeing more younger patients eating healthier and using sunscreen, which are key factors in preventing, respectively, heart attacks and skin cancers,” Dr. Wright says.
2. Which screening recommendations apply to me?
Screening guidelines are updated regularly, which can sometimes cause confusion for patients. “Information you find online isn’t always accurate,” Dr. Wright says. Your PCP can recommend the latest evidence-based actions so you can make the most informed decision.
One newly updated screening everyone should remember: Due to alarming prevalence trends, patients at regular risk of developing colon cancer should get their first screening at age 45 (formerly 50).
3. Do I need to make changes to my medications?
Medication management is one of a PCP’s most important responsibilities. Bring a list of current medications and supplements to every doctor’s appointment so your PCP can review them and recommend any adjustments.
“Therapies change constantly,” Dr. Wright says. “We may find that a newer medication is more effective than one you’ve used for years. Or we might be able to save you money by suggesting a generic medication that works just as well as a brand-name one.” Your PCP will also know the potential risks and benefits of emerging therapies such as GLP-1 receptor agonists for diabetes, and can help you decide whether they might be right for you.
4. Am I up to date on vaccines?
An annual flu vaccine is highly recommended for anyone 6 months or older. A pneumonia vaccine is recommended for children under 5 and adults 65 and older. Ask your PCP to review your vaccination history and see how other inoculations, including COVID-19, might benefit you.
If you don’t know your immunization history, your PCP can help. “We can run a titer test—a type of blood test that measures the amount of antibodies in your blood,” Dr. Wright says. Results will help you know whether some of your childhood vaccines, such as Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis), need a booster.
5. How can I improve my diet and physical activity?
“Patients sometimes make dietary changes or start an exercise plan with good intentions, but what they’re doing might actually not be healthy for them,” Dr. Wright says. Keep your PCP informed of any diet and exercise changes. Your doctor can evaluate them with you and help tweak your routine to enhance your overall wellness.
6. What simple steps will improve my well-being?
Because PCPs see a variety of patients across different age groups, they can give you helpful—and sometimes surprising—answers to this question. “The biggest regret I hear from patients as they grow older is that they didn’t take better care of their teeth,” Dr. Wright says. “I recommend that all my patients brush and floss regularly and see their dentist at least once a year.”
7. Do I need specialty care?
Your PCP can manage many health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, thyroid disease and bone/joint problems. PCPs also help determine the severity of an illness or injury. If a condition becomes more severe or complex, your doctor can point you to the right resource or specialist, whether it’s the office of a doctor with advanced expertise, an urgent care center or the emergency department (ED). “Should you need treatment in an urgent care or an ED, be sure to follow up with your PCP a week later to keep your recovery on track,” Dr. Wright says.
Learn more about RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group primary care services or make an appointment.
View full issues of Healthy Together magazine by New Jersey region:
Northeast, serving the community of Jersey City Medical Center in Jersey City
Northwest, serving the communities of Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Rahway, and Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth
Central, serving the communities of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Hamilton, New Brunswick and Somerset
South, serving the communities of Community Medical Center in Toms River, Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, and Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood