Fairfield County is one of the most populous counties in Connecticut, besides Hartford and New Haven. It enjoys the highest number of primary care providers per 100,000 population. If you are a resident of this county, you will not have a problem searching for a primary care doctor if you ever need one.
A primary care doctor Fairfield County is the first contact in the healthcare sector because they are easily accessible and affordable. They help you stay healthy throughout the year, prevent diseases by identifying the risk factors, conduct annual exams, provide vaccinations, and even attend to urgent cases.
But what are the vital things that you must know about a primary care doctor or healthcare center in Fairfield County? Here is some information.
4 Reasons You Should Access Primary Care in Fairfield County
Who is a primary care physician?
The Connecticut Department of Public Health defines primary care as a service provided by licensed independent practitioners that possess adequate training and knowledge. The Statewide Primary Care Access Authority (SPCAA) defines primary care practitioners as experts in internal medicine, family practice, obstetrics, and gynecology. They must be skilled in comprehensive first contact and handle health care issues like prevention, curing chronic illness, routine care, and diagnosis.
Do they require a Certificate of Need?
The Connecticut General Statutes Section 19a-639(10) clearly states that healthcare facilities require a Certificate of Need. Outpatient clinics and primary care services operated by licensed private practitioners do not require a Certificate of Need approval.
Why should people visit primary care centers?
Although people visit primary care doctors for various reasons in Fairfield County, these are the top ones.
Asthma
Asthma can significantly interfere with your health and quality of life. Even though the rate of asthma in Fairfield County at 11% is slightly lower than that of Connecticut (11%) and the USA (14%), it is still a noticeable number. Areas like Stamford and Bridgeport have more asthma-related hospital visits because of poor medical management and exposure to certain environmental factors like dust and pollen.
HIV/STD testing
People in Fairfield County visit the primary HIV/STD testing centers because of their high numbers. The available statistics say that the number of HIV cases per 100,00 population in Fairfield County is 102, against the state’s 291. The total number of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) was 61 in 2019, an increase of 221% from 2012 and a rate of 10 per 1,000 residents.
Lyme disease
Lyme disease is caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. It gets transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks. Some of its symptoms are fatigue, skin rash, and fever. In 2015, there were 430 cases of Lyme disease per 100,000 residents, and 9,739 cases were recorded between the years 2000 to 2018.
Blood tests
Although blood tests are done for various reasons, people visit their primary care doctors for blood tests for malaria. The Connecticut Department of Health says Fairfield County has three areas with mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus. Even though people use creams and repellents, the balms have limited mosquito bites.
Things to check before visiting your doctor
It is better to know a few things before scheduling an appointment with your primary care doctor. The most apparent of these is the center’s timings and location, along with the working hours on weekdays and weekends. You might also want to have their contact number with you at all times. If there is a website, browse it to check the number of illnesses they offer care for, besides injuries and prevention methods like blood testing, screenings, vaccinations, and travel medicine.
It is advisable to inquire about the cost of annual exams and inclusions. The cost of annual health checkups in Fairfield County is between 50 USD to 200 USD but may vary upon certain factors, including insurance.
These are some details you must be aware of before visiting a primary care doctor in Fairfield County for your annual checkups, vaccinations, injuries, illnesses, and even urgent care when required. They keep you safe and healthy throughout the year while building a healthy and long-lasting relationship.
