Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A • W I N T E R 2 0 1 9 66 Article and Photos by Bozeman Health When you have a sinus infection, your child develops swollen glands, indigestion is your partner's frequent complaint or its time for family flu shots, you need to see a doctor. But in a world of specialized medicine, who do you call? For routine illnesses, recent symptoms or preventative measures, the best choice often is scheduling a visit with a primary care provider. Bozeman Health has more than 50 highly qualified, experienced and compassionate primary care practitioners ready to deliver top-quality healthcare at clinics in Bozeman, Belgrade, and Big Sky. Primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants offer care for your everyday health, wellness and treatment of common illnesses. At Bozeman Health, our primary care providers are certified in family medicine, internal medicine or pediatrics, with some specializing in adolescent or geriatric medicine. As point of first contact, these providers provide you with definitive care for any undiagnosed symptom or health concern, and they take continuing responsibility for your comprehensive care. This may include chronic, preventive and acute care in both inpatient and outpatient settings. "As your primary care provider, we seek to develop long- term relationships with you," said Keven Comer, family nurse practitioner at Bozeman Health Internal Medicine. "While we take care of the basics of your health care, focusing on your overall health, wellness and prevention, and making sure you get recommended screenings and risk assessments, we are available to advise and treat you on a full range of health-related issues." The patient is central to the concept of primary care. It establishes a framework within which the patient has access to efficient and effective primary care services from a personal physician who collaborates with other health professionals as needed. As your "regular" or "family" doctor, your primary care provider is tasked with understanding the big picture of your health, provides most of your health care, and coordinates any specialized services you may need. "All of us who provide primary care at Bozeman Health are focused on effective communication with our patients (and in pediatrics, the patient's caregivers), and we all encourage the role of each patient as a partner in their health care," added Pepper Henyon, MD, with Bozeman Health Pediatrics. "We are advocates for every individual patient in coordinating the use of the entire health care system to benefit overall health and well- being." Primary care includes health promotion, disease prevention, health maintenance, counseling, patient education, diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Common chronic illnesses usually treated in primary care include hypertension, angina, diabetes, asthma, COPD, depression and anxiety, back pain, arthritis or thyroid dysfunction. Primary care also includes many basic maternal and child health care services, such as family planning services and vaccinations. Primary care professionals "serve on the front lines of healthcare," according to HealthCare.gov. "That Primary Care

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