Your primary care provider (PCP) may be your most important connection to health care. That's because they get to know you — and your health needs — by seeing you routinely. They can treat many illnesses and refer you to expert care.
At UPMC, we offer several ways to access our PCPs. Your age, health concerns, and personal preference help you decide which one is right for you.
If you need a routine exam or your child has an ear infection, primary care is the place to start.
Here's what you need to know about primary care services at UPMC.
Family medicine doctors are PCPs who care for people at all stages of life:
Many people pick a family medicine provider when they want the whole family to see the same PCP.
Some pros of choosing a family medicine doctor as your PCP include:
But you don't need to have children to see a family medicine PCP. They treat people of all ages and genders.
Internal medicine PCPs treat older teens and adults.
They provide nonsurgical health care, such as:
Internal medicine doctors generally have a subspecialty. You can pick one based on the health issues you have.
They include:
Like family medicine, internal medicine PCPs can provide the care you need. They get to know your health history and risk factors for disease in depth.
Some family medicine providers:
All PCPs provide routine and preventive care, including:
Sometimes, seeing your PCP from home is easier.
Video visits with your PCP are a good option if you're short on time or can't travel. They also work well for follow-up visits or to review test results.
Your PCP may even be able to diagnose some health issues during a telehealth visit.
PCPs at UPMC can handle many illnesses, chronic diseases, and injuries.
Of course, you may need to see a specialist for certain health issues. But you'll still have a long-term relationship with your PCP.
Your PCP will get to know you, your lifestyle, and your family history. They offer the latest in health screenings, vaccines, and physical exams. Your PCP offers regular blood pressure and blood sugar checks.
A UPMC PCP can provide access to many experts. These health care workers sometimes work in the same office as your PCP.
They can include:
Learn more about family health topics from UPMC HealthBeat.
You can become an active partner in your health care. To start, plan a visit to one of our primary care offices.
You can plan a new patient visit right now.
Find a UPMC PCP near you who's welcoming new patients and book your appointment online.
Or you can also call to plan a visit or learn more about the conditions they treat.
It's more convenient than ever to plan your yearly visit with your PCP.
Just log in to your UPMC patient portal to book an in-person or telehealth appointment.
