What Is…

Family Medicine?

Family Medicine covers all areas of medical care, including:

Family Medicine is based on the fact that people and their families are best served by having a single primary care provider who knows each member’s medical background and can coordinate all parts of their medical care. Your provider is able to take care of your entire family — from obstetrics & newborns to grandparents!

Family-Centered Obstetrics?

We provide obstetrical care including prenatal care and post-partum care of the mother.

A Nurse Practitioner?

Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are highly skilled health professionals licensed to practice in Virginia and certified by national accrediting boards. NPs are clinicians that blend clinical expertise in diagnosing and treating health conditions with an added emphasis on disease prevention and health management. NPs bring a comprehensive perspective to health care. NPs provide some of the same care provided by physicians and maintain close working relationships with physicians.

NP’s see patients of all ages and has completed a master’s degree and training in the diagnosis and management of common medical conditions, including chronic illnesses. They provide much of the same cares provided by physicians and maintain close working relationships with physicians.

An NP’s duties include the following:

Collaborating with physicians and other health professionals as needed, including providing referrals.
Counseling and educating patients on health behaviors, self-care skills, and treatment options.
Diagnosing and treating acute illnesses, infections, and injuries.
Diagnosing, treating and monitoring chronic diseases (e.g. diabetes, high blood pressure)
Obtaining medical histories and conducting physical examinations.
Ordering performing and interpreting diagnostic studies (e.g. lab tests, x-rays, EKGs).
Prescribing medications.
Prescribing physical therapy and other rehabilitation treatments.
Providing family planning services.
Providing well-child care, including screening and immunizations.
Health and wellness counseling.

NP’s provide high-quality, cost-effective individualized care that is comparable to the health care provided by physicians.

A Preventative/Annual Exam?

A preventive exam is a scheduled visit with your primary healthcare provider. It is focused on detecting and preventing health problems. The exam will include a medical history and a physical exam. The provider may also order blood tests, urine tests, and other diagnostic procedures. These exams may include, dependent upon age:

Blood pressure, temperature, pulse, and respiration checks
Weight and height
Breast exam
Pelvic exam and PAP smear
Prostate exam
Vision and hearing exam
Lab tests such as cholesterol, glucose
Education about health risks and a healthy lifestyle

Usually, these exams are completed and paid for by your insurance carrier annually. Check with your insurance provider to understand their particular guidelines for payment. Infants younger than two years please note: during a preventive exam visit, your provider will focus on preventive care. If you find at the time of your visit you need to address an illness that you are experiencing the provider will defer your preventive visit to another time so as to focus on your acute need.

People with certain diseases and conditions may also need more frequent exams. Some examples of these disorders include:

Coronary artery disease or other heart diseases
Diabetes
High blood pressure
High cholesterol levels in the blood
A history of cancer
Infection
Injuries
Skin Conditions
Orthopedic issues

A good source of medical information on the internet?

There is a great deal of good medical information on the internet… and, unfortunately, a great deal of bad information, as well.