H E A LT H Y L I F E
T H E L AT E S T T I P S , A D VA N C E S A N D A D V I C E T O L I V E YO U R H E A L T H I E S T L I F E
Teamwork Makes
the Dream Work
Scripps Health’s team approach puts the “care” in health care
WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR HEALTH, CHOOSING THE RIGHT PROVIDER IS ESSENTIAL. Whether for preventive care or a medical crisis, your doctor should be a trusted part of your health journey. At Scripps, your care is put in the hands of not only your primary care doctor, but also an entire team of nurses, advanced practice clinicians (APC)—like nurse practitioners (NP) and physician assistants (PA)—and specialty physicians for whom your health and wellness are their utmost priority. Here, a team of Scripps practitioners highlight why teamwork truly makes the health care dream work. “My philosophy is that your primary care physician is really a
“Your primary care doctor has a 360-degree view of your health,” explains Siu Ming Geary, MD, vice president, Scripps Clinic. “ ey know your medical history, your risk factors and your preferences for how you want to approach your health care. Any doctor can tell you general guidelines for health. Having a primary care doctor whom you see on a regular basis ensures not only that you’re keeping up to date on all the preventive care you need to stay healthy, but they can help you make choices that are customized for you and your lifestyle. Plus, when you need specialty care, we have the insight into your preferences and can provide guidance to connect you to specialists that suit you.”
history, what conditions you have and what your preferences are,” he continues. “At the end of the day, it’s a collaboration. e doctor might have medical information and a recommendation, but if the patient is not in tune with the recommendation or if the information is not presented in a meaningful way, chances are, once that visit is over, the patient may not act on it.” at’s why, Dr. Chong adds, trust is key when it comes to choosing your primary care physician. “When it comes to your car, you take it to a mechanic you can trust. In the same way, your partnership with your physician should be built on a foundation of trust,” he says. “For me, as a family medicine physician, I may know a person from the time they were a child to when they start their own family. I’m connected to my patients. at longevity is very important to help create a bond between a patient and their physician.” Choosing the right primary care physician not only allows you to build a trusted personal bond, it also ensures you have someone closely following any health changes that occur as you age.
teammate—someone who is collaborating with you about your care. It’s a partnership,” says Anthony Chong,
Meet the Care Team When you choose your primary care
physician at Scripps, you’re also choosing an integrated team of providers that will be by your side throughout your health journey. In your primary care o ce, you may also be seen by an NP or PA who is part of your care team. ey work with your physician to ensure you have continuous care that meets your needs.
MD, chief medical o cer, Scripps Coastal Medical Center. “You want a physician
who knows your family history, your personal medical
4 SAN DIEGO HEALTH | FALL 2021
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