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A PCP is the first person a patient talks to about a health question or concern. Primary care physicians develop long-term relationships with their patients, getting to know them, their history and their health care preferences. Because a PCP practices general health care, they are trained in many areas and can address a wide variety of health concerns. Patients might ask for help from a PCP for:

• Any medical questions that arise
• Treatment of common illnesses
• Preventative care (stopping illness before it happens), which includes screenings and vaccinations
• Early detection of illnesses or conditions, such as cancer
• Management of chronic or long-lasting conditions such as high-blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes
• Questions regarding family history
• A referral to a medical specialist

Having a primary care physician can help patients stay healthy, recover quicker and prevent illnesses that may arise from undiagnosed conditions. Patients who have a PCP have better coordination of care, therefore resulting in better overall health care. Americans with a PCP report significantly better health care access and experience, including fewer emergency room visits and hospital stays.*

As primary care physicians get to know their patients over time, it allows the physician to better personalize care to each patient. It also helps physicians identify any issues or warning signs early and monitor changes in a patient’s health over the years.

Additionally, PCPs can help manage many chronic and other ongoing conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and depression. They can also perform minor surgical procedures like mole removal, stitches for cuts, etc. When you need a specialist, they can help find the right fit, whether it is for heart disease, lung disease cancer or any other serious concern. Learn more about the specialty care we offer.

While all primary care physicians have training across a broad range of health care services, there are some variations and specializations.  Our goal is to help you pick the right physician for you!

Family medicine doctor: Family Medicine physicians receive training to care for both children and adults. Their training is broad based to include wellness checkups, disease management (like cholesterol, blood pressure, etc.), and routine illnesses or injuries.  Some patients like to have the whole family treated by the same doctor, while others may transition to Family Medicine after they “outgrow” the pediatric agegroup.  Family medicine physicians also have training in women’s health services.

Internal medicine doctor: Internal medicine physicians specialize in diagnosing, treating and preventing disease specfically in adult patients.  They provide wellness visits, management of long-term problems like blood pressure, and also treat acute illnesses.

Yes! Hattiesburg Clinic offers comprehensive, pediatric care from birth through adolescence at The Children’s Clinic, Children’s Clinic – Petal and The Pediatric Clinic. Our team offers treatment of illnesses as well as childhood and teen immunizations. Additionally, monitoring a child’s growth and development is a part of the care our pediatricians provide. Our trained pediatricians work closely with the American Academy of Pediatrics as well as clinic specialists to provide quality care for your children.

This health care professional is the person you would typically contact for your day-to-day health care needs.  If you do not have a PCP, you can schedule an appointment online now or call (601) 261-3518 to find a primary care physician and get your appointment scheduled today.

Nurse practitioners and physician assistants in Mississippi all work in coordination with a doctor, even if they provide much of your primary care.  While a Hattiesburg Clinic nurse practitioner or physician assistant will not serve as a PCP, they work closely with our physicians in a team-based approach to ensure our patients are getting the care they need when they need it.  You don’t have to give up seeing your nurse practitioner to also have a primary care physician (PCP) heading your team.

Many women, especially during their childbearing years, consider their OB/GYN to be their primary care physician. However, OB/GYN is a specialty for women’s healthcare specifically.  All patients need a primary care “home base” to address the many other health issues that arise.  We believe you get better care when a primary care “home” is in place BEFORE problems arise.  While your PCP team can do routine women’s healthcare, they also work regularly with OG/GYN on the patient’s team.

At Hattiesburg Clinic, our goal is to ensure you have both a primary care physician for your day-to-day care and if needed, an OB/GYN for your specialty care in women’s health issues.

It is not recommended. Urgent care doctors are better suited for immediate sickness, concerns, and injuries, but aren’t set up for a long-term relationship with patients to manage care.  Urgent care is for just those needs:  urgent.  Primary care doctors know their patients and their medical history, so they are better suited for maintaining long-term health, and often can help with urgent illness or injury as well.

There are many health insurance plans and the types of coverage will vary.  Please contact your insurance carrier for more information.

For patients who are looking for a primary care physician, we have physicians who are just a click away. View our providers accepting new patients or call (601) 261-3518 to schedule an appointment and begin your health care journey with the largest, privately-owned multi-specialty clinic, caring for hundreds of thousands of lives in South Mississippi.