Our primary care doctors get to know your history, your story and provide personalized care for the whole you — mind, body and spirit.
When you are sick, you do not have to wait to get the care you need. Our same-day appointments are available virtually and in person. And with offices across Southeast Missouri, trusted care is always close to home.
What is primary care?
Primary care is the care a patient receives at his or her first contact with the Healthcare System, as well as the continuing, comprehensive and preventive care a patient and/or family receives over time. This type of care is not limited to age, gender or specific medical issue. Primary care may also include:
- Health promotion
- Health maintenance
- Patient education
- Pediatrics
- Diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses
- Counseling
- Referrals to other healthcare specialists
A primary care physician should be a patient’s first source for diagnoses, prescriptions and lifelong medical guidance. Establishing a relationship with a primary care physician can help each family member maintain his or her health and peace of mind for a lifetime.
Why is primary care important?
Saint Francis Healthcare System’s primary care physicians play an important role in you and your family’s overall health and well-being. Our physicians are available to treat any immediate health problems that may arise, such as influenza, and also help you manage any long-term health issues you may have, like hypertension (high blood pressure) or high cholesterol. They keep a running record of your blood pressure, weight, screenings and immunizations to support your preventative care.
What do primary care doctors cover?
Saint Francis Healthcare System’s primary care physicians specialize in the following areas of medicine:
- Family Medicine – Newborns to older adults
- Internal Medicine – Adults
- Pediatrics – Newborns, infants, children and adolescents
- Rheumatology – Arthritis and other diseases of the joints, muscles and bones
Patient-Centered Medical Home
What can Medical Home do for me?
A Medical Home model:
- Increases your access to care and coordinates your care within our office, hospital and specialists.
- Provides tools to help you successfully manage chronic health problems.
- Educates you on health problems and builds your confidence and ability to manage your own health.
- Provides preventative services to promote optimal health and identify early signs of chronic problems.
- Promotes access to care to avoid emergency room visits or a hospital stay.
- Provides equal access to all patients regardless of payment source (uninsured, private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid)
- Provides information on how to obtain insurance coverage.
Our Role as Your Healthcare Team
- Follow evidence-based guidelines.
- Offer support and patient/family education so you are able to manage your healthcare.
- Respond to your questions and concerns at each appointment.
- Work with you in partnership, using shared decision making to help you manage your health.
- Coordinate care both inside and outside the practice.
Your Role as a Patient
- Be an active participant on your healthcare team.
- Provide a complete medical history.
- Inform us about care outside of Saint Francis Healthcare System.
- Bring a list of concerns and/or questions and medications to your appointments.
- Call us before you go to the emergency room or hospital (we can probably get you into the office the same day and/or after hours).
- Inform other healthcare professionals we are your primary care provider and ask them to share information regarding your health.
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