Regardless of your life situation or current health, it is recommended that everyone have a primary care doctor accessible. Over the years, research has continually shown that those with access to a primary care doctor that they visit regularly tend to have better health outcomes. This is because a primary care doctor is meant to get to know your health history over time, so they can provide the best care possible, with the right and most up-to-date information. When you have a health issue that isn’t life-threatening, your primary care doctor is often the first person you see. They can help diagnose and treat various conditions, as well as test and screen for more serious issues, or chronic underlying health conditions, and refer you to further services if necessary. Often, serious illnesses like cancer and diabetes are first flagged by or even diagnosed by a primary care doctor. In general, the earlier you can diagnose and treat an issue, the better health outcomes you’ll have. Primary care doctors can also provide yearly physicals, and help you manage any medications you need to take, by re-prescribing them regularly or changing the dosage. Regardless of whether you feel perfectly healthy or not, having a primary care doctor is a vital part of your overall healthcare throughout your lifetime.