Many people believe they only need a doctor when they are sick. However, having a primary care physician may be your key to staying healthy. An important responsibility of a primary care physician is providing preventative care. “A primary care physician is like a wellness coach,” said Holly Dagney, D.O., a board certified family medicine physician with Physicians Regional Medical Group. “My goal is to protect the health of my patients through regular checkups, and making sure they get the screenings they need to identify any concerns as early as possible.”
Dr. Dagney tells us that she always wanted to be a physician. “I chose family medicine because I enjoy the variety of challenges that come with being a primary care physician,” she said. “My patients tell me that I’m a good listener, and that I take time with them.” These qualities are important when choosing a primary care physician. “I enjoy seeing a wide range of patients – from infants to elderly, and everything in between.”
There are many reasons you should have a primary care physician. They include:
1. Continuity of Care/Holistic Care – a primary care physician can treat the whole person, which takes into account your history, family history, and any existing conditions you may have.
2. Care Coordinator/Central Point of Contact – “A primary care physician will insure that your care and health information is coordinated between your other physicians and specialists,” said Dr. Dagney. “We can make sure that you are not having any duplication of care, and also communicate important health information to your care team.
3. Valuable and trusted resource – whenever you have a health question or concern, your primary care physician should be your first call. He or she may need to refer you to other specialists, or help you find other resources to help with your care, but again, serving as your care coordinator, your primary care physician is the best person to initiate your care.
4. Routine screenings – whether it is taking your blood pressure, ordering regular, routine lab tests, or making sure you are getting regular mammograms, colonoscopies, or other important screenings, your primary care physician should be recommending all necessary routine screenings to you. Make sure that you follow up when your doctor orders tests and screenings. This will enable your primary care physician to catch any serious health issues early, when they are most treatable.
5. Keeping you out of the Emergency Room – many people who do not have a primary care physician use the emergency room when they get sick. “Your primary care physician can offer options that can help prevent your potentially unnecessary trips to the ER,” explained Dr. Dagney. “We allow for same-day and walk-in appointments for our patients, which means they can be seen quickly in our office. This often eliminates the need for an unnecessary, and more costly ER visit.” While the emergency room cannot replace a good relationship with a primary care physician, when emergency care is needed, your primary care physician will certainly refer you for that higher level of care. “The emergency room, not my office, is literally a lifesaver for the critically ill or injured,” said Dagney.
Dr. Dagney’s practice
philosophy: “To do my best to assist patients in staying healthy, as well as optimizing treatment of acute and chronic conditions to allow my patients to maintain their lifestyle.”
Dr. Dagney’s office is located at 8340 Collier Blvd., Suite 200, directly behind Physicians Regional Medical Center – Collier Blvd. For more information, or to schedule an appointment with her, please call (239) 348-4221.