How to Choose a Primary Care Provider

Your health journey is unique and personal. You want a health care team made up of experts who understand your medical history and support your health through preventive care, diagnosis, and treatment. A team you can trust that’s tailored to you. A team that understands where you want to be and helps you get there.

That’s where your primary care provider comes in. 

“Like a conductor leading an orchestra, the primary care provider plays the most important role in our overall wellbeing,” says Garret Bomba, MD. “They deliver continuous care, coordinate care with specialists, keep us up to date with preventative measures, and provide general health guidance. The primary care provider keeps our bodies and minds at their best.”  

Dr. Bomba is a Mass General Brigham emergency medicine doctor and regional medical director of the Mass General Brigham Medical Group, Merrimack Valley. 

A primary care provider (PCP) is your main health care provider in non-emergency situations. They are typically the person you meet with most regularly for routine checkups, common medical concerns, and questions about your health. Doctors, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and physician’s assistants are all examples of PCPs. 

“Primary care providers are often the first health care professionals we encounter when seeking medical assistance. They serve as a bridge between patients and the broader health care system. Whether it’s a routine check-up, minor illness, or chronic condition, PCPs are there to address our health concerns,” Dr. Bomba says.  

As the expert on your health care team who will likely know you best, your PCP’s role is to:

• Provide preventive care, routine health screenings, and vaccinations
  
• Guide healthy lifestyle choices
  
• Identify and treat common medical conditions
  
• Assess the urgency of your medical problems and direct you to the best provider and place for that care
  
• Make referrals to medical specialists when necessary
  

Because these providers develop years-long, trusting relationships with their patients, they tend to have the most complete understanding of patients’ medical histories. 

“PCPs build long-term relationships with their patients. This continuity of care is essential. They get to know patients’ medical history, preferences, and unique needs. This familiarity allows for personalized treatment plans and better outcomes,” notes Dr. Bomba.

Yes. Doctors, nurse practitioners, clinical nurses, and physician’s assistants all may be PCPs. PCPs can specialize in many areas, including the following areas of expertise:

• Family medicine, treating both children and adults and often caring for entire families
  
• Geriatrics, treating patients aged 65 and older 
  
• Internal medicine, focusing on adult medical care 
  
• Obstetrics and gynecology, specializing in reproductive health 
  
• Pediatrics, treating children from infancy through young adulthood
  

Choosing a primary care provider is an important task. After all, you’re looking for someone you’ll see for a long time and with whom you’ll build a relationship. This is the health care provider who will know the most about your health history — so it’s important that you choose a provider who makes you feel comfortable, someone you can trust.  

Dr. Bomba explains, “PCPs advocate for their patients’ well-being. They guide patients through complex health care decisions, helping them navigate the system. Part of their role is also providing emotional support during illness or challenging times.” 

When choosing a provider, take your health insurance into account. Many insurance plans limit the providers you can choose from, or offer financial incentives for you if you select from a set list of providers. Before you begin narrowing your options, make sure you understand what your insurance covers. Many health plans have websites, directories, or customer service staff who can aid you in PCP selection. For example, if you are an AllWays Health Partners member, you can find a provider in your network.

Once you’ve identified a list of covered providers, consider the following:

• What are you looking for in a provider? 
  
• Is the provider’s office in a convenient location for you? Is it easily accessible via car, train, bus, or walking?
  
• Are you seeking primary care for your entire family, for a senior loved one, or for yourself?
  
• Do the office hours work with your schedule?
  

During your search, you may consider asking family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues if they have any recommendations for providers. Referrals can also come from:

• Another trusted health provider, such as your dentist, pharmacist, or optometrist
  
• State-level medical associations, nursing associations, and associations for physician assistants
  
• Advocacy groups who can help you identify the best provider for a specific chronic condition or disability
  

You may find it difficult to open yourself up to health care providers — but transparency is critical to a successful provider-patient relationship. Consider asking your provider some key questions that can help you understand them and their work. 

Questions might include: 

• What is your treatment approach? 
  
• How do you prefer to handle patient communications? Do you prefer to respond by text, email, phone, or another method?
  
• How do you think of the provider-patient relationship? Do you consider patients to be partners in their care, or do you take a more independent approach? 
  
• How do you work with other members of your team? 
  

Once you find a PCP who meets your needs, you’ll have the foundation for a trustworthy care team that helps you manage every aspect of your health. As the expert with deepest understanding of your medical history, your PCP can establish a coordinated care approach to help you achieve the best health outcomes. Your PCP refers you to the right specialists who can address chronic health conditions and acute needs. Referrals are only part of the picture when it comes to your holistic health. Clear communication and collaboration across your care team make the biggest difference.

“PCPs coordinate care across different specialties. They refer patients to specialists when needed, ensuring seamless communication and collaboration. They help manage medications, test results, and treatment plans as part of their primary work. All of this is supported by a strong network of Mass General Brigham specialists,” explains Dr. Bomba. 

Across the Mass General Brigham system, providers work closely together to deliver personalized care for all patients at every stage in their journey. They use a relationship-centered approach to deliver primary care, behavioral health, and specialty care.

PCPs also focus on disease prevention and educating their patients on how to live healthier lives. 

Preventive care and healthy lifestyle guidance 

“PCPs emphasize preventive care, encouraging healthy lifestyle choices,” explains Dr. Bomba. They educate patients about nutrition, exercise, stress management, and disease prevention. Regular check-ups help identify risk factors early and promote overall wellness.”  

Your PCP can advise you on steps to stay healthy, like:

• Quit smoking.
• Limit alcohol use.
• Exercise regularly.
• Get enough sleep.
• Eat a balanced diet.  

If you are between PCPs when a minor health care problem arises, contact your local urgent care center. Urgent care teams are able to treat common illnesses and injuries for walk-in patients. Another helpful option is Mass General Brigham Virtual Urgent Care. It’s open to all patients ages 3 and up, even if they haven’t seen a Mass General Brigham provider before. Both new and current patients can schedule a virtual urgent care visit for that day or the next day on Mass General Brigham Patient Gateway. 

Always head to an emergency room if you have a serious injury or illness that may be life-threatening.