Partnering with a Primary Care Provider

By Jennifer Hulon

Establishing a relationship with a Primary Care Provider offers continuity of a healthy life. Primary care is often described as the foundation of healthcare. It's the first line of defense against illnesses, the cornerstone of preventive care, and the gateway to specialized medical services. 

Having a primary care provider is important for several reasons: 

Routine Check-ups – Offers consistent and ongoing care, allowing them to track a patient’s health over time and understand their medical history. 

Preventive Care – Focuses on preventive health measures, helping patients avoid illnesses through regular check-ups, screenings and vaccinations. 

Management of Chronic Conditions – Oversees and manages chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and asthma to ensure optimal health.

Acute Care – Diagnoses and treats common illnesses and injuries, such as infections, minor injuries and other urgent health issues. 

Health Education – Offers guidance and education on health-related topics, including nutrition, exercise and disease prevention.

Coordination of Care – Coordinates referrals to specialists and ensures all aspects of the patient’s care are aligned and managed effectively. 

Patient Advocacy – Advocates for the patient within the healthcare system, helping navigate complex health issues and making informed decisions about treatment options. 

Primary care providers commonly facilitate health screenings and vaccinations and treat the following conditions:

• Sprains, minor broken bones, back strains or pain, cuts, burns or eye injuries
• Common colds, flu, fever, rash, earaches, infections, sore throats, and migraines

Appointments are usually open during normal business hours, and some providers have extended hours and weekend appointments. 

McLeod Health also offers additional options of where to receive medical care, depending on the severity of the medical condition. 

Emergency Departments offer healthcare services for serious and life-threatening situations. In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. If you or a family member experiences any of the following symptoms, seek emergency care: 

• Chest pain or pressure, numbness in face, arm or leg; severe pain anywhere on the body; coughing or vomiting blood; any severe allergic reaction; severe abdominal pain; or head injury
• Deep cut or heavy bleeding, severe burns, high fever, any broken bones breaking through the skin

McLeod TeleHealth offers patients quality healthcare online by a provider at any time, from anywhere conveniently through a laptop, phone or tablet. Visits are private and secure, and no appointment is required. To download the app for Android and Apple devices, visit www.mcleodtelehealth.org.

Urgent Care Centers and Same-Day Orthopedic Services offer immediate care for non-life-threatening medical issues at a time your primary care provider is unavailable. McLeod Urgent Care Centers, located in Florence and Darlington, are open seven days a week and most holidays with extended hours. 

For urgent orthopedic needs, McLeod offers same-day appointments and walk-in orthopedic care at these locations: 

• McLeod OrthoNOW (Florence), available seven days a week, including weeknights
• McLeod Orthopaedics (Little River and Carolina Forest), available Monday through Friday 
• McLeod Orthopaedics (Hartsville), available Monday through Friday

For more information, please visit www.mcleodurgentcare.org.