What to Expect During My Primary Care Visit

A primary care doctor is trained in diagnosing and treating a large array of conditions, illnesses, and injuries. Primary care physicians offer both management of chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes, and testing and treatment for acute health issues, such as ear infections, the flu, and injuries. 

Our team of experts at Casa de Salud, led by Dr. Afshin Akhavan, discusses what patients can expect from a primary care visit.

How to prepare for a primary care visit

Before you leave home, write down all of the medications and supplements you’re currently taking, how often you take them, and the dosages. 

Make a list of your symptoms, if any, and your questions. If you don’t know your family medical history, ask your close relatives, because you may need some preventive screening tests if you have heart disease, diabetes, or cancer in your family.

What is a primary care visit like? 

The visit begins with a staff member obtaining your weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and blood oxygenation. Then our provider asks you about any symptoms you’re having and performs a physical exam, focusing on the areas that are injured or have symptoms.

If appropriate, we may recommend tests that are appropriate to your age, gender, and medical history. 

Will I need testing?

If your physical exam and medical history don’t indicate any sign of disease, further testing may not be recommended for you. However, if we believe you have, or are at risk for developing, a health issue, we may suggest screening tests and schedule a follow-up appointment. 

For example, if you’re over age 45-50, we may recommend screening tests such as a colonoscopy and a blood cholesterol check. Or if you’ve experience sneezing and watery eyes for some time, we may recommend allergy testing. 

What conditions does my primary doctor treat?

Our providers can help you manage chronic conditions, such as asthma, high blood pressure, and diabetes. We also treat small wounds and injuries in our office. Patients who have acute problems, like rashes, urinary tract infections, or back pain can also benefit from our care.

We also provide women’s health care, including annual well-woman exams, advice on choosing the right birth control, and testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). 

Physical exams are an important part of preventive health care. For children, we follow the American Academy of Pediatrics schedule for well-child visits. A routine physical is recommended annually, or at least every 2-3 years, for younger adults in good health. A yearly exam is important for someone who is 50+ years old or suffering from a chronic disease.

If you have any acute or chronic health concerns, or if you need a physical for school, sports, or employment, contact us to schedule a primary care appointment. We serve patients in the Downtown & Adams Normandie areas of Los Angeles, California, and the surrounding areas.