Primary Care

What is primary care?

Primary care is the first point of contact with medical professionals if you have a health-related issue, encompassing the range of services offered by most family doctors. Primary care practitioners are trained to diagnose and treat urgent health problems, help you manage chronic health conditions, and carry out routine health checks and screening programs.

If Dr. McFarland is concerned about a specific problem, she refers you to a specialist in the relevant field, but MyNP Professionals are equipped to handle a comprehensive range of medical services.

When would I need primary care services?

Primary care covers many different areas of health care, so there are few situations for which you couldn’t visit Dr. McFarland. Some of the most common reasons why you might need to see a primary care physician include:

Routine health procedures

Your primary care physician can take care of all your regular health checks and screening tests, such as physical exams, well-woman checkups, Pap smears, vaccinations, screening for cancer and hepatitis C, and cholesterol checks.

Acute illness and injury

Injuries that cause sprains and strains, back pain, or bleeding wounds, and any symptoms of illness.

Management of long-term conditions

Primary care plays a vital role in supporting people in the management of chronic diseases and long-term health problems. If you have a chronic health problem, you need regular check-ups and monitoring of your condition, so Dr. McFarland can adjust your medication or refer you for other forms of treatment, if necessary. Typical chronic health conditions seen in primary care include:

• Asthma
• Eczema
• Fibromyalgia
• Arthritis
• Diabetes
• Ulcers
• Thyroid problems
• Depression and other mood disorders
• High blood pressure
• Chronic pain

Primary care services also cover occupational health, and you can access healthy lifestyle information and support to stop smoking, lose weight, and reduce stress. If you’re too sick to visit the clinic, you can arrange a home visit with Dr. McFarland or her partner Clarissa Lawrence. You can also talk to Dr. McFarland on the telephone or by video link.

Can I take my children to a primary care physician?

Many parents choose to take their children directly to a pediatrician, but primary care providers have all the necessary skills and expertise to diagnose and treat childhood health problems.

At MyNP Professionals, your child can have their routine vaccinations, hearing and vision screenings, and benefit from exceptional standards of care for all the bumps, scrapes, and sniffles of childhood. If Dr. McFarland should have any concerns about your child’s health, she’ll refer you to a pediatrician for further investigations.

For outstanding primary care in the Brown Deer area, make an appointment with MyNP Professionals by calling the clinic or booking online.