Your primary care provider is your go-to expert for everyday health and wellness care. We treat people of all ages and conditions — from yearly check-ups to managing chronic conditions and preventive care to bumps, bruises, coughs, colds and everything in between.
Your partner in whole health
At Tufts Medicine, we’re challenging the one-size-fits-all approach to primary care by understanding you as a person, rather than a number in a system. Primary care doctors are often the first people to call when there’s a change in health, or to help you decide if you need to see a specialist and which one.
That’s why finding a primary care doctor you trust is so important. They record and remember your personal health history, family history, wellness goals and much more. So, if you're ever feeling under the weather, nursing an injury, ready for a check-up or just need to talk, we're the ones you call.
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Conditions
Primary care doctors offer whole-person care for medical needs throughout one’s life, not just during bouts with specific diseases. You may visit your primary care doctor to:
- Ask questions about unusual health changes you are experiencing, such as headaches, back pain or a sensitive stomach
- Receive treatment for a common, acute (temporary) illness, such as a cold, sinus infection or the flu
- Receive ongoing care for chronic (long-term) conditions, such as diabetes, arthritis or high blood pressure
- Receive wellness and preventive health services, including annual physicals, check-ups, flu shots and other routine immunizations
If you’re feeling unwell, you can trust us to get you on the road to recovery as soon as possible. We can help with any short-term illness or condition that’s left you feeling under-the-weather, including:
Abdominal pain
Allergies
Colds
Cough
Ear infection
Flu
Minor injury
Nausea
Sinus infection
Skin rash
Urinary tract infections
Vomiting
Chronic + complex conditions
Primary care doctors often serve as a “home base” for patients with more complex medical needs. Chronic diseases require a lifetime of care, and we’re ready to be your partner through it all. We offer chronic disease management, including medication management, for conditions like:
- Asthma
- Arthritis
- Chronic kidney disease
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure and high cholesterol
- Mental well-being
- Nutrition + wellness
And should your condition require care beyond day-to-day health, we'll refer you to a specialist, such as a gastroenterologist, cardiologist or gynecologist. They'll keep us in the loop of your progress and condition so we can be there for you and your health.
Testing
If it has been over a year since you last visited your primary care doctor, we recommend scheduling your next appointment. Even if you’re feeling healthy, your primary care doctor can perform evaluations to identify potential medical concerns early and help ensure you feel your best well into the future.
At your annual wellness appointment, you and your primary care doctor can discuss your lifestyle and health goals, and they’ll answer any questions you may have. We'll also address if social factors like food and transportation impact your health.
Routine screenings and physical exams help keep you on a healthy path, and may include:
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Treatments
Primary care can cover many health and wellness needs. That means:
- Access to lab services
- Access to physical therapy
- Access to occupational therapy
- Counseling
- Diagnosis and treatment of common diseases, disorders and conditions
- Education and resources for living a healthy lifestyle
- Medication management, including anticoagulation management
- Preventive care
- Referrals to specialists
- Social work
- Yearly physical and check-up
Depending on your specific needs, some medical professionals can cover both your primary care and specialized treatments. Some examples include:
- Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with advanced medical training and can provide complete medical care.
- Obstetricians and gynecologists (also known as OBGYN) can provide primary care for women and assigned females at birth (AFAB).
- Pediatricians deliver primary care for children from birth through adolescence.
Choosing the right type of care
If something doesn’t feel quite right, it can be confusing figuring out what type of healthcare provider to see. Follow this as a general guide to ensure you’re getting the right type of care as quickly as possible.
When to see your primary care provider
If you or your family needs treatment for relatively minor problems such as sore throat, earaches and rashes or to manage chronic conditions like asthma and diabetes, try primary care first. They know your medical history and current medications best, and can give the most personalized care.
When to go to an urgent care center
Most primary care doctors provide urgent care services unless they're not available due to scheduling, time of day or location. You can call them first for advice. When they aren't available, you can visit an urgent care for issues that need immediate attention, like:
- Dehydration
- Mild allergic reactions
- Minor burns
- Minor eye injuries
- Illness
- Rash or hives
- Scrapes or lacerations
- Sprains or possible fractures
- Stings and bites
- Stitches for a minor cut
- Urinary tract infection (UTI) symptoms
When to seek emergency care
Visit an emergency department of the nearest hospital if you think you’re potentially in a life-threatening situation, such as chest pain, severe bleeding, difficulty speaking or breathing, are thinking of harming yourself or others, or experience major trauma. If at anytime you are need immediate medical care, call 911 or visit your closest emergency department, they are open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week for immediate help.
FAQs
When should I seek emergency care rather than visiting my primary care doctor?
Always seek emergency care if you fear loss of life, limb or vision. Go to the emergency room or call 911 immediately if you or someone around you has:
- Difficulty breathing
- Lost consciousness
- Sudden vision changes, confusion or trouble speaking
- A wound with uncontrolled bleeding
- Been involved in a motor vehicle accident, near-drowning incident or another traumatic event
What’s the difference between internal medicine and family medicine?
Internal medicine and family medicine doctors are 2 of the most common primary care providers. So what’s the difference between them?
- Family medicine: This specialty provides care for people of all ages—from babies to older adults. Family medicine often includes obstetrics and focuses on whole-family care.
- Internal medicine: This specialty focuses on adults only. Internal medicine doctors often manage complex health conditions and coordinate care for chronic illnesses.
Both specialties serve as primary care, helping people stay healthy and manage ongoing health concerns.
What’s the difference between an MD and a DO?
Both MDs and DOs are licensed physicians who hold medical degrees from accredited universities and are qualified to treat a wide range of health concerns. They can practice in any medical or surgical specialty, follow the same evidence-based standards and provide the same quality of care.
- Medical Doctor (MD): MDs diagnose and treat conditions using medications, procedures and surgery. They can work in primary care or in any specialty such as cardiology, gynecology, endocrinology or rheumatology.
- Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO): DOs complete the same medical training as MDs and can also work in primary care or any specialty. They receive additional training in osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), a hands-on technique that some DOs use in practice. MDs can also choose to train in OMT.
In most cases, you won’t notice a difference between seeing an MD or a DO. Both meet the same rigorous licensing standards and provide high-quality care.
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