A primary care doctor works to prevent, diagnose, manage and treat health conditions. Your primary care is your first line of defense against chronic illnesses and diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. Primary care doctors in Sonoma specialize in general internal medicine, general pediatrics, or family medicine.
What Does a Primary Care Doctor Do?
Primary care physicians provide a range of preventive care services that include regular checkups and immunization. They are trained to treat minor illnesses such as the seasonal flu, allergies, diseases, and injuries. A primary care physician can even perform minor surgeries should the situation arise.
How Does Someone Become a Primary Care Doctor?
Becoming a primary care doctor is a lengthy process that involves years of training and education. In order to become primary care physicians, prospective doctors first have to complete a four-year program after earning their bachelor’s degrees.
A medical school graduate can acquire either an MD or DO degree. Next, they have to complete a residency program where they work to develop a specialty. During residency, they study a particular specialty for another three to seven years. After earning their degrees, some physicians also go on to complete a fellowship.
Types of Primary Care Physicians
The first step to choosing the right primary care doctor is figuring out which type of doctor is best suited to your healthcare needs. To help you make an informed decision, we have put together this list of different types of doctors you can choose from.
Pediatricians
A pediatrician specializes in caring for children, from birth through early adulthood. Pediatricians are trained to diagnose and treat different minor and major childhood illnesses. They understand developmental milestones. A pediatrician can help keep a child healthy by regularly checking their growth and development.
OB-GYN Doctors
OB-GYN doctors specialize in treating common reproductive health concerns for women. An OB-GYN doctor is trained to perform pelvic examinations, PAP tests, and STI tests. OB-GYNs assist their patients with everything from choosing the right birth pills to managing abnormal growths. They also care for their patients during important milestones such as pregnancy and menopause.
Internists
Internal medicine doctors or internists care only for adults. They are trained to diagnose and treat simple and complex health conditions and illnesses that affect adults. An experienced internist is expert at balancing their patients’ regular and specialized care needs.
Family Medicine Doctors
A family medicine doctor is trained to meet the healthcare needs of the entire family. They can care for infants, kids, and younger and older adults. A family medicine doctor knows how to communicate with patients of all ages, from toddlers to the elderly.
Dr. Guy is one of the most trusted primary care doctors in Sonoma. He is board certified in internal medicine. Dr. Guy is experienced and proficient in creating treatment plans tailored to his patients’ healthcare needs. To schedule an appointment, call our office at (707) 938-1255.
