Primary Care Doctor Role in Chronic Disease Management

Primary Care Frisco, TX

A primary care physician guides their patient through the different challenges of living with a chronic disease. The doctor will also oversee their patient’s treatment by consulting with any specialists. They will coordinate the various aspects of their patient’s treatment and make adjustments as needed. Keep reading to learn about the different measures that both the doctor and the patient can take to manage a chronic health condition.

The role of primary care in handling a chronic disease

Primary care physicians are generalist doctors with knowledge that covers many medical conditions. This expertise enables them to make quick and accurate diagnoses for all kinds of ailments. The family doctor and the internist use their broad knowledge base to treat patients of all ages. They can also provide long-term care to patients with prolonged or chronic illnesses.

Chronic diseases come in many varieties, with some having more risks than others. Some conditions may be debilitating but lose a low risk to the patient’s life. Other diseases are potentially life-threatening but can be managed or reversed. The most common chronic conditions that doctors deal with are:

  • Cardiovascular disease
  • The effects of a stroke
  • Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases
  • Cancer
  • Diabetes
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Arthritis
  • Depression, anxiety, and other psychological conditions

Conditions like Alzheimer’s are irreversible, so the role of a doctor is to manage the effects of the illness. Diseases like cancer can have varying outcomes, and the doctor may oversee treatments to fight the disease or offer palliative care in case of a poor prognosis. Here are the different ways that doctors can care for patients with chronic illnesses.

1. Monitoring

A primary care physician will schedule regular visits to keep tabs on their patient. These visits enable the patient to give feedback on the effectiveness of the treatment.

2. Managing pain

Chronic conditions like cancer and arthritis can cause pain and discomfort that affect the patient’s daily life. A family doctor can help the patient manage their pain through medication and holistic treatments that improve the person’s wellness.

3. Managing the effects of the disease

Diseases like Alzheimer’s can take a toll on patients and their family members, but the family doctor can help. The doctor can coordinate counseling to help families deal with the changes in their loved ones. They can recommend programs that will help family members navigate everyday life with a person who has Alzheimer’s. A family doctor will also prescribe measures to help the patient through the progression of their illness.

4. Making adjustments to treatment

A primary care physician will monitor the effect and efficacy of a treatment on their patient. They will make adjustments if specific medical interventions cause serious side effects or if the treatment fails.

5. Guiding behavioral changes

Patients who suffer from obesity, diabetes, and other lifestyle diseases can manage and even reverse their conditions. This is challenging, however, and patients will need to adopt long-term lifestyle changes to improve their health.

A primary care physician can create a personalized program to improve their patients' diet, physical activity, and behavior. They will consult with and oversee nutritionists and fitness trainers to help with this goal. This type of intervention is also helpful for patients who live with cardiovascular disease.

We are here to do the work with you

Get in touch with us to learn how our primary care physician can help as you deal with a chronic illness. Our practice offers long-term care to manage the symptoms of the disease in ways that can improve your daily life.

Request an appointment here: https://primarycarefriscotx.com or call Delc Medical Center at (469) 287-4509 for an appointment in our Frisco office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Primary Care in Frisco, TX.

Recent Posts

5 Lifestyle Modifications For Hypertension Treatment

Hypertension treatment often involves a combination of medical and nonmedical interventions. Your primary care provider can help you monitor your blood pressure and may even recommend medication to help keep it in check. However, successful hypertension treatment relies partly on the patient's efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle.Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure or…

How To Know If Medical Weight Loss Is The Correct Choice

Medical weight loss sounds like a great idea, right? After all, medically supervised weight loss programs are crafted by actual doctors, based on years of medical research. The doctors that oversee medical weight loss programs will go so far as to craft a tailor-made solution based on an exhaustive evaluation of an individual.As good as…

Health Promotion Primary Care Services

Primary care for your medical needs can keep you in good health and prevent serious issues. You can go to your family doctor if you are feeling sick, have suffered an injury, or want a checkup. The doctor can help with the physical, mental, and emotional needs of people of all ages. This type of…

How Primary Care Tailors Diabetes Treatment Plans

Primary care plays an important role in helping patients navigate diabetes treatment. Diabetes is a complicated condition requiring a customized approach to care from a provider who understands how the condition affects the patient. A primary care provider helps those with diabetes manage their condition and live healthily.Diabetes type 1 and type 2 are similar…

Recent Posts

Lifestyle Modifications For Hypertension Treatment

5 Lifestyle Modifications For Hypertension Treatment

Hypertension treatment often involves a combination of medical and nonmedical interventions. Your primary care provider can help you monitor your blood pressure and may even recommend medication to help keep it in check. However, successful hypertension treatment relies partly on the patient's efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle.Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure or…

How To Know If Medical Weight Loss Is The Correct Choice

How To Know If Medical Weight Loss Is The Correct Choice

Medical weight loss sounds like a great idea, right? After all, medically supervised weight loss programs are crafted by actual doctors, based on years of medical research. The doctors that oversee medical weight loss programs will go so far as to craft a tailor-made solution based on an exhaustive evaluation of an individual.As good as…