Family medicine practitioners diagnose and treat illness through all life stages. If you live in Utah, a family doctor in Salt Lake City would be the first to see a member of your family when they need a medical assessment and diagnosis. These doctors could also recommend the appropriate management.
Your family doctor has been with you through thick and thin, and their presence in your life has made it easier for family members to avail of relevant health programs and treatment interventions they need. How else can your doctor help ensure the health of your loved ones?
Overseeing the welfare of an entire household
Health conditions are always changing, and the most effective medical programs are the ones that are targeted to the needs of the individual. The ability of a doctor to treat a condition should be matched by his or her ability to perform a health-risk assessment. A family physician can deliver babies, treat acute disease, and offer palliative care as well when a person is in a terminal state. It is also important for physicians overseeing the welfare of an entire household to focus on preventive health care. These days, there is an ongoing shift from a traditional approach to preventive healthcare.
Preventive healthcare
Doctors and health services around the globe are advocating preventive care actively these days. These advocates explain that doing so will improve the standard of living in America and the economy will benefit as well. Traditionally, family members seek medical help for their loved ones when health declines. The idea for preventive healthcare is to shift the emphasis from treatment to early diagnosis and management. Studies show that earlier diagnosis will result in better treatment outcomes. This trend has been observed in some cancers and cardiovascular diseases, in general.
Doctors who have been taught that their life’s work is to treat diseases are now being vocal about the importance of shifting to preventing diseases. Risk reduction is an important aspect of preventive health care.
Opportunities for risk reduction
The American population is aging rapidly. The incidence and prevalence of certain chronic illnesses are increasing alarmingly because of habits that define modern living. For many, preventive care seems to offer a better way of improving their quality of life.
What are the opportunities for risk reduction available for the family? For middle-aged men at risk for myocardial infarction, some doctors are prescribing aspirin therapy. For women, blood pressure screening, cervical cancer and breast cancer screening, and abdominal aortic aneurysm screening are available for those who consent to make their risks for chronic illness known. Screening for Type 2 diabetes mellitus is also available for all members of the family, while obesity screening is also available for at-risk adults.
The health and well-being of your family should be a top priority. If you want to ensure that the household remains healthy and productive, you should consider working out a preventive healthcare program with your family physician. Ask your doctor about available health risk assessment, screening tests, and risk reduction programs.
