Dignity Health | St. Rose Dominican | Reach | Fall 2017

Apartnership for GOOD HEALTH 12 StRoseHospitals.org | Fall 2017 Working well with your primary care doctor can matter so much Your doctor is an expert on human health. But even with all that expertise, your doctor needs to know the details of your unique medical health and history to give you the best possible care. “It’s so important to have a strong working relationship with your primary care doctor that is based on open communication,” says Joseph Johnson, MD, a family medicine physician at Dignity Health Medical Group Nevada’s new Pavilion clinic. There for you insickness andhealth For most people, the main doctor-patient relationship is with a primary care physician. Among other things, these doctors: ●  ● Diagnose medical problems ●  ● Treat a variety of illnesses and conditions ●  ● Coordinate your care with other specialists, if needed ●  ● Help patients learn how to care for their own health ●  ● Help prevent health problems from occurring Types of primary care doctors include: ●  ● Family physicians, who are trained to care for people of all ages—from babies to older adults ●  ● Internal medicine physicians, who focus on medical conditions faced by adult patients ●  ● Pediatricians, who care for newborns, infants, children, teens, and even young adults Takeanactive role inyour care Inna Zdorovyak, MD, another family medicine doctor at the Dignity Health Medical Group’s Pavilion clinic, offers these tips for communicating well with your doctor for better care: Be prepared. Before your next doctor’s visit, take a little time to get ready. Gather your medications—including any over-the- counter drugs or herbal or alternative remedies that you take—and bring them with you to the doctor’s office. Speak up. During your visit, tell your doctor about your symptoms and anything else you think he or she Joseph Johnson, MD Inna Zdorovyak, MD