This kind of professional provides first-contact healthcare, preventive care, and continual care. A primary care doctor can diagnose and treat common conditions like minor bone fractures or the flu, and help you prevent these conditions from occurring in the first place. The doctor can also help you prevent chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease, or provide continual care for an existing chronic condition. Even if all you need is general health advice, a primary care doctor can provide it. These kinds of services are invaluable. They will help you stay as healthy as possible and can even improve your health. And as a primary care doctor begins to understand you and your health more and more, he or she will more easily be able to identify any health issues that come up. Also, a primary care doctor can provide any referrals you need to be able to see certain specialists. And finally, by preventing health issues from becoming serious and costly, a primary care doctor can actually save you money and thus lower the cost of your healthcare.