Do You Actually Need a Specialist, or Can Primary Care Handle It? 

You feel short of breath, and occasionally your heart races when you’re relaxed. Should you find a cardiologist? Maybe you have a rash on your arm. Do you need a dermatologist? 

It seems like the healthcare system in the United States grows more complex and harder to understand with each passing week. That complexity is one reason Stephanie Taylor, MD, PhD, has chosen to join the Slow Doc Initiative. At A Woman’s Wellspring, our team wants to build relationships and help you find your path to better health. 

Dr. Taylor offers primary care services, which means she serves as your primary point of contact within the healthcare system. She’s the one you see for annual wellness checkups, routine care, and she coordinates the care you receive from specialists. 

A different model

Although Dr. Taylor is a primary care physician, she has a slightly different approach. You join a medical cooperative for a monthly fee and then get access to longer visits and an annual exam that encompasses all aspects of your health and includes an interview, physical exam, and treatment planning. 

You can expect Dr. Taylor to ask questions about both your physical and mental health during your annual exam. She wants to know about your lifestyle, goals, and needs so she can provide the support you need. 

Your physical exam includes blood tests, imaging, and whatever other screenings or diagnostic tests make sense for your situation. You’re invited to ask questions about the tests themselves, and about the results. 

Dr. Taylor makes referrals as needed, but she may also suggest complementary treatments such as biofeedback or counseling, depending on your situation and needs. She offers supportive counseling, nutritional supplements, and other services you may not find at other primary care offices. 

Care coordination 

In some situations, care from your primary provider may not be sufficient. For example, if you have diabetes with complications, you likely need a healthcare team with an ophthalmologist, cardiologist, podiatrist, endocrinologist, and others. In that situation, Dr. Taylor serves as a care coordinator. 

All of your other doctors send items such as notes from your visits, test results, and other information to Dr. Taylor. That way, she’s aware of what’s happening with your health and can answer questions you may have, as well as make referrals you may need to additional specialists. 

Similarly, she can coordinate things like screenings at the appropriate times. If you’re 45 years old and haven’t had a colonoscopy, Dr. Taylor can set up that appointment for you. 

Do you need a specialist? 

It’s almost always a good idea to see your primary care provider first, then see a specialist if needed. One exception is in an emergency situation. If you go to the emergency room with a problem a specialist needs to address, that happens right away, and Dr. Taylor is notified later. 

Most of the time, though, it’s a good idea to talk to Dr. Taylor first, then see a specialist if necessary, so that she can coordinate your care and answer your questions. If you’re thinking you may need a specialist, consider scheduling an appointment at A Woman’s Wellspring first.