Your primary care physician plays an important role in keeping you healthy by providing medical counseling, health monitoring, annual exams, and day to day treatments, offering medical care both when the patient is healthy and potentially ill. Primary care physicians provide comprehensive care, seeing patients for problems like colds, flu and allergies, as well as chronic, long term conditions.

What is a primary care physician?

A primary care physician can be considered a medical care provider who will serve as the main point of contact for all of a patient’s medical needs. This physician is a medical doctor who is trained to prevent, diagnose and treat a wide array of illnesses and injuries. Your primary care physician will also decide when it is necessary to seek additional care from a specialist.

Through annual checkups, physicals and screenings, you will build a relationship with your physician as they build a personal understanding of your specific medical needs and conditions. When needed, they will collaborate with medical specialists to provide you with the precise treatments you need for your own personal medical situations.

At Saint John’s Physicians Partners, you can schedule an appointment with a primary care physician by phone or by using our 24/7 online scheduling system. Our physicians have same day appointments and some of our facilities provide extended hours.

Find a convenient Primary Care location in Santa Monica, California, at Saint John’s Physicians Partners, and schedule your appointment today using the following link.

Find a doctor near me

Why are primary care physicians important?

At some point, most people are going to need a medical opinion when they don’t feel well. It’s important to establish a relationship with a primary care physician when you are healthy, so they will be there to help when you do need care.

It’s important to have a primary care physician you know and trust, as this will be your first point of contact to determine the kind of care you need and act as your first point of contact into the healthcare system.

Your primary care physician will provide you with preventive care, identify and treat common medical conditions. When a referral is needed for you to see a specialist, your primary care physician will provide you with recommendations on where to go and who to see.

It is common for many patients to stay with their primary care physician for decades, once they find physician they really connect with. With a long term relationship, your physician is able to establish a baseline of wellbeing and really get to know you. When medical treatment is necessary, it is comforting to have a medical professional you trust

and are comfortable with, as they will be assisting you in making important decisions regarding your care.

Benefits of having a primary care physician

There are many benefits to having a primary care physician. When illness strikes, seeking medical care can be stressful for many, so it helps to have someone you are already familiar with and with whom you have had a long-standing relationship. Your primary care physician can catch potential health problems early, before they become more severe. Many of these physicians will care for you over your lifespan, referring you to specialists when you need more advanced care.

At Saint John’s Physician Partners, we believe quality care should be available to all. We can connect you with primary care doctors and caregivers who can understand your personal medical situation and will provide you with precise screenings to diagnose both mild and serious conditions. They can help educate you on preventive care, prescribe medications for symptom relief and refer you to the correct specialists, should you need it. To find a primary care physician who is right for you, contact us using the following link. Someone will get back to you within 24 hours during business hours. Find a physician today

Services Provided by Primary Care Physicians

Our primary care physicians are able to provide you with a variety of medical care service, which include, but are not limited to the following:

Annual physicals and wellness checks
Allergy management
Diabetes management
Family medicine
Women’s health
Immunizations
Internal help
Mental help
Newborn care
Minor surgical procedures
Travel medicine and x-rays

Some of the conditions that can be treated by your primary care physician can include:

High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Acid reflux
Arthritis
Asthma
Bronchitis
Diabetes
Heart disease
Menopause
Osteoporosis
Vitamin deficiencies
Weight loss/obesity

What kinds of primary care physicians are there?

At Saint John’s Physician Partners, we are committed to providing individualized, compassionate healthcare for every patient. We pride ourselves on the personalized care and relationships we have with the families and individuals, who place their trust in our care. We believe that by working together we can achieve the goal of keeping you and your family healthy.

We provide different types of primary care physicians. We can help you find the right physician.

Adult Primary Care

Our board-certified primary care physicians offer a broad spectrum of services from preventive care and routine health screenings to treatment for injuries and illnesses. They can also coordinate your care to determine if you need a specialist and recommend one that would be best for you. Please visit the following link for more information on our adult primary care services and physicians.

Pediatrics

At Saint John’s Physician Partners, we have many wonderful pediatricians to choose from across the West Los Angeles area. We care for children, newborns to 18 years old, for both well and sick visits. We partner with parents to take care of the immediate and urgent needs of their children. We would like to work with you using a team approach to care for your child/children. Please visit the following link for more information on our pediatric services and physicians.

Urgent Care

If you or a loved one needs immediate medical attention, you can find it at Saint John’s Physician Partners urgent care, with no appointment needed. Our highly experienced physicians are here to provide you with the care you need on a walk-in basis. We are available 7 days a week and offer a full-service facility, including an on-site lab and imaging. Should you require additional care, our doctors are affiliated with Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica. Please visit the following link for additional information on our urgent care services.

Behavioral Health

At Saint John’s Physician Partners, we know that emotional wellbeing is as important as physical well being. To support the mental health of our patients, we have integrated Behavioral Health Specialists into our primary care settings. These specialists can coordinate with your primary care physician to address symptoms, like anxiety and depression. You do not need to suffer alone. Please contact your primary care physician, who will work with you and refer you to a therapist, if needed. Please visit the following link for additional information on our behavioral health services.

Find a Primary Care Physician Today

Please call today, at 833-977-4120, to schedule an appointment with one of our primary care physicians. You can also contact us using the following link and someone will get back to you within 24 hours.

Contact us for an appointment

Resources:

https://www.providence.org/locations/socal/saint-johns-physician-partners/primary-care

https://www.providence.org/doctors

https://www.providence.org/services/primary-care

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/why-you-need-a-primary-care-physican

About Michael Fuchs, MD

Michael Fuchs, MD is an experienced, board-certified physician with 30 years of clinical practice and teaching. His path into medicine was influenced by his father, an Internist, who he was fortunate to practice with in his early career. His focus is to provide comprehensive and compassionate care to the community of West Los Angeles while maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle.

He graduated Medical School from Hahnemann University and Residency from Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix.

When not caring for patients Dr. Fuchs is an avid swimmer and hiker as well as runs a local chapter of Walk with a Doc and other volunteer activities.