Your primary care doctor exists as your first point of contact for any health issues you may be experiencing. But the doctor is not just a resource when you are sick; it is important to schedule regular checkups to make sure you are still practicing good health. Since a lot of our Abeline doctors recommend seeing the doctor several times per year, a lot of our patients tend to ask: How often should I see my primary care doctor? 

How Often Should I See My Primary Care Doctor? 

Everybody has different medical needs, so the answer can vary from person to person. Below, we will outline some general guidelines for visiting your primary care doctor. It is important that you understand all of the benefits available to you through your PCP, so you should visit as often as you feel is necessary. 

What Your Primary Care Doctor is For 

Primary care exists as a one-stop shop for a variety of ailments. This is the doctor you should establish a relationship with and continue to visit as the years go by. This is the person you should trust to help you with routine check-ups, check-ins, and prescriptions. If you are feeling sick or have a sudden injury, you can also visit your primary care doctor for help. Depending on the intensity of your symptoms, you may be referred to a specialist or sent to the hospital for additional care.

Why You Should Visit Your Primary Care Doctor Often

It is really important that you establish regular care with a primary doctor. This person can get to know you and your medical history as you go through life. This is the doctor you can rely on whenever there is a change in your health, or even if you have a quick question about your treatments. 

Other benefits of visiting your primary care doctor include: 

• Regular check-ins allow you to more closely monitor your health over the years
• You can catch certain medical issues early and invest in preventative care, avoiding poor health and expensive treatment down the line
• Discover certain health problems before they grow worse
• Save time and money by visiting your doctor more often 
• Create a trusting relationship with your doctor who will always be looking out for your best interests

Committing to regular care means committing to a lifetime of health and happiness. You can both prevent issues before they appear and boost your overall health by learning about different lifestyle practices. Your doctor will be happy to help you out in a way that works best for you. 

Exactly How Often Should You Visit the Doctor?

The number of times you visit your doctor is determined by many factors, including age and overall health status. If you are in good health and you are below 50 years of age, you should visit your doctor at least once a year. However, you may have additional concerns that will cause you to schedule more frequent check-ups with your PCP. 

Similarly, anyone who is over the age of 50 or who has been diagnosed with an illness should visit their doctor more than once per year. You can work to create a professional plan of care that will allow you the flexibility of visiting your doctor only when you need to. As long as no other issues arise, you can expect a fairly regular schedule between you and your doctor. 

Get Caught Up with Your Primary Care Needs Today

If you have not visited the doctor in a long time, it is never too late to get back on track. You can establish a great relationship with one of our primary care doctors in Abilene to work through your health issues and get great preventative care. We are accepting new patients in west Texas right now, so give us a call and schedule your first appointment for a lifetime of great healthcare!