Primary Care In Charleston SC

Are you looking for primary care in Charleston SC for you and your family? Are you searching for a doctor that will take the time to listen and answer your questions as you seek the best for those that matter to you most?

We know how important it is to find a doctor you can trust.

Our team has been preventing disease and caring for the health of families in Charleston and the surrounding areas for over 15 years with the goal of providing compassionate and the highest quality healthcare where you are not just another number but you are family.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment or better yet, just walk in! Our office is located on James Island and easily accessible from all of the greater Charleston area. We are here ready to help you and your loved ones live their healthiest lives.

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What Is Primary Care?

Primary Care refers to a branch of medicine that focuses on patient-centered care by a primary care physician (PCP). Some primary care physicians tend to the medical concerns of people of all ages and genders, i.e. family health, while others concentrate on children’s health, the elderly, or strictly adult health or women’s health. But all primary care physicians provide the essential health care needs of their patients including their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing where the goal is wellness, i.e. to get healthy and stay healthy. A primary care physician is the doctor you choose to be your main doctor. In order to be covered by insurance, in fact, some insurance providers require that you have a primary care physician who will refer you to a specialist when needed.

Your primary care physician will keep your medical history, maintaining a record of your height and weight, your immunizations, therapies, medications, lab test results, and will keep track of your visits to specialists and document their findings. Through regular checkups and consultations, their goal is to prevent health issues from occurring by finding underlying conditions before they develop into anything serious. A patient can also request prescription refills from their PCP who keeps a list of current medications even if prescribed by a different doctor.

A primary care physician is trained to treat and prevent disease as well as diagnose and manage a wide range of illnesses and injuries. A PCP is just as prepared to deal with insomnia, depression and anxiety, as he/she is to treat a cough, sore throat, bronchitis, or even pneumonia. When a patient suffers from swelling, allergic reactions, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, or heartburn, a PCP should be consulted to determine the cause and recommend a course of treatment. A primary care physician will regularly screen for common health problems and is qualified to manage chronic conditions such as diabetes or thyroid disease, and recommend therapies such as smoking cessation treatment or a treatment for alcohol or drug addiction.

Part of the PCP’s daily routine may involve referring a patient to a specialist for expert disease care if needed, specialists such as a cardiologist for your heart or an oncologist if cancer is suspected. To determine if a specialist is required, the PCP will thoroughly examine and consult with a patient having various types of pain complaints such as joint pain, back pain, eye pain, stomach pains, or headaches. The primary care physician can prescribe medications for pain alleviation if it is determined to be necessary or antibiotics for infections such as urinary tract or ear infections as well as prescribe other medications needed for health maintenance. Many PCP offices offer same-day sick visits or connect patients to Urgent Care Services, unless of course your primary care physician is also your Urgent Care Clinic.

We would love to be your primary care physician. For a more in depth list of the services we offer click here or contact us at (843) 225-2374.

What specialties fall under primary care?

Primary care doctors often choose a specialty such as Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, OB/GYN, or Geriatrics. Others may be qualified to work in multiple specialties.

A Family Medicine practitioner works with both children and their parents to diagnose and treat a wide range of illnesses and diseases and they provide general preventative care as well. They perform regular physicals and health screenings for the entire family, as well as keeping track of each individual’s health history. Family Medicine physicians also recommend specialists when deemed necessary.

Internal Medicine physicians (Internists) care for adult patients. They diagnose and manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, or treat patients with heightened cholesterol levels. They also perform physicals, health screenings and provide general preventative health measures. When needed, an Internist will recommend a specialist. They sometimes practice in a medical center, a hospital, or from a private office.

A Pediatric physician is trained to diagnose and treat babies, children, and adolescents. They perform regular physicals and health screenings for common childhood conditions, provide vaccinations and sick childcare. They advise parents on the care, growth, and the physical, mental and emotional development of their children. The pediatric physician also makes recommendations for preventative health measures.

For women’s health assistance, an OB/GYN physician can meet their healthcare needs. Obstetricians (OB) and Gynecologists (GYN) diagnose and treat the reproductive organs of adolescent and adult female patients. Obstetricians provide care to their patients before, during, and after pregnancy and oversee the labor and delivery of their babies. Gynecologists provide preventative annual screenings in their offices or in a clinic for possible health ailments common to women.

Geriatrics is a branch of primary care medicine that focuses on the care of adults over the age of 60, including their physical, mental and emotional well-being. By monitoring their home environment through various questions, they can assess the ability of the patient to remain independent if they live alone. They diagnose and treat diseases and injuries common to people in that age group, such as falls and memory loss. Geriatric physicians also manage the medications of the elderly who sometimes have acute and chronic conditions that require multiple prescriptions.

Here at Premier Medical we are able to care for all these groups with the added benefit of being an urgent care clinic. We run a very time efficient facility so you don’t even need to schedule an appointment when you need to see us. Whether you schedule an appointment or simply have time suddenly open up in your busy schedule our door is open and we are here for you!

 

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We are located on James Island with doctors on staff ready to provide you the urgent care you need.

Why should you have a primary care doctor?

Having a doctor that knows you and your health history is important. A PCP is the person to consult with any health concern or question since they are trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of health conditions. Because they are familiar with your health history, including medications, blood tests, specialist’s reports and immunizations they can provide you with more informed care. Over the years of regular visits and consultations, the primary care physician gets to know you and can personalize your care so that you do not receive a “one-size-fits-all” treatment. The PCP will screen for major health conditions related to your specific history or current health complaints and manage any chronic conditions already present. The purpose of a PCP is to insure the overall well-being of each patient. In addition, it is more affordable and easier to see one doctor for all your medical needs than to travel to many specialists on your own without advice.

Premier Medical accepts most major medical insurance. Give us a call today with any questions you may have. We are here to help and to heal.