A LIFELONG FRIEND YOUR PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN
T
HE U.S. HEALTH CARE system is a complex maze for doctors and patients alike, a compli- cated conglomeration of
difficult-to-understand terminology and incomprehensible insurance rules and regula- tions that
BY STACY E. DOMINGO
are more likely to cause a headache than to cure one. Should you visit your doctor every
time you or one of the kids sneezes or gets a stomach ache? Is it worth the cost of your co-payment and the time you’ll miss at work just to find out you are suffering from a minor ailment that will go away on its own in a few days? Or is it better not to take any chances, to rush to your primary care physician’s office every time you’re not feeling quite right? In most cases, it’s better to be safe
than sorry – to let your doctor tell you whether your physical problems are something to worry about. Tis is why it’s important to have a primary care physician who can treat your symptoms and help you live a lifestyle that emphasizes prevention. “Helping people navigate their way through the maze is a primary
care physician’s job,” said Dr. Howard Evert, medical director and president of MUSC Physicians Primary Care. “A primary doctor doesn’t just see you and then refer you to a specialist. A primary doctor understands day-to- day health care and will get to know you and your family, as well as any other factors that can have an impact on your health.” Internists such as Dr. Evert deal with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of adult diseases in areas such as cardiology, endocrinology and infectious diseases. Tey are par- ticularly skilled in the management of patients with more than one medical issue, and they care for patients both
in and out of the hospital. “Internists strictly work on individuals 16 or older,” explained Dr. Evert. “Primary care is my life. It’s what I do. In the new health care system, people may be required to find a primary doctor, so finding someone now is a good idea.” Family doc-
tors care for the physical, mental and emotional health of their patients and their patients’ families. Tey are trained in all areas of medicine and can diagnose and treat a wide range of problems. When necessary, they send patients to specialists. Dr. Kay Durst of
Durst Family Medicine on Sullivan’s Island treats several gen-
erations of patients within the same family, something her own relatives been doing for years. “My grandfather, Dr. George
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