Primary Care

Primary Care (pronunciation: /ˈpraɪməri keər/) is a term used in the field of Healthcare to describe the first point of contact a patient has with the healthcare system. This is typically a general practitioner (GP) or family physician, but can also include other health professionals such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants.

Etymology

The term "Primary Care" is derived from the Latin word 'primarius' meaning 'of the first rank' and the Old French word 'cure' meaning 'care for'. It was first used in its current medical context in the mid-20th century to distinguish it from secondary and tertiary care.

Related Terms

General Practitioner: A medical doctor who treats acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health education to patients.
Family Physician: A specialist in Family Medicine, a medical specialty devoted to comprehensive health care for people of all ages.
Nurse Practitioner: A nurse who has completed advanced training and can perform many of the same functions as a doctor.
Physician Assistant: A healthcare professional who practices medicine as a part of a healthcare team with supervising physicians and other providers.
Secondary Care: Care provided by medical specialists and other health professionals who do not have first contact with patients.
Tertiary Care: Specialized consultative healthcare, usually for inpatients and on referral from a primary or secondary health professional.