What Is Primary Care?

Primary care is care provided by physicians specifically trained for and skilled in comprehensive first contact and continuing care for people with various health conditions.

Primary care includes health promotion, disease prevention, health maintenance, counseling, patient education, and the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses. These are carried out in a variety of health care settings, such as an office/clinic, hospital setting, or a long-term care facility. Primary care is performed and managed by a personal physician, often collaborating with other health professionals.

Primary care provides patient advocacy in the health care system to accomplish cost-effective care by coordination of health care services. Primary care promotes effective communication with patients and encourages the role of the patient as a partner in health care.