Choosing primary care providers for your family

Choosing primary care for your health needs

Often, the first level of contact you will have with the health care system is through your primary care provider.  This can mean visiting a health clinic, a family doctor, or a pharmacy.  Primary care focuses on treating short-term medical issues, as well as managing longer term health problems. 

Objectives of primary care

Primary care is about a team approach to health care.  Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown, Maryland is a perfect example of how a team of healthcare professionals can provide quick, thorough and seamless health care to their patients.  The healthcare team at Germantown Primary Care Associates provides total healthcare to its patients all in one place.  When you seek primary care at a clinic such as Germantown Primary Care Associates, all of your health care professionals are in one place minimizing the time you spend on getting diagnosis and treatment. 

Choose the right primary care provider

When you select your primary care provider it is important to consider three factors.  First, a primary care physician should care.  Your doctor should listen to your concerns and ask the right questions to get to know their patients.  Next, the primary care doctor or provider must be competent to practice quality medicine.  Check the physician’s training and background online.  Are they board-certified?  And, last select a primary care physician who is technologically connected.  Ask your primary care provider how they schedule appointments.  Can you schedule online?  Do they provide email updates or online access to your medical information?  At Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown, Maryland the patient is first and each and every member of the staff works to ensure it remains that way.

Finding occupational health services

Finding the best occupational health services

Employers can find the best occupational health services at Medical Access, the partner agency of Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown, Maryland.  The occupational health services clinic will perform Department of Transportation health physicals, as well as drug screenings, auditory tests, breath alcohol tests, and vision exams.  Our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Manbir Tahkar serves as the Medical Review Officer for our occupational health services.  Any employer in the Germantown, Maryland area may sign up with our occupational health services clinic and we will provide these services to their employees. 

Occupational health services can benefit both employer and employee

Traditionally, occupational health services were focused on helping employers protect their employees from injury and illness.  These services could include basic laboratory testing and screening, all the way up to diagnosis and treatment.  Today, many employers are realizing the benefit of adding health promotion activities to their occupational health services.  These are the activities which help maintain or improve the personal health of a workforce and can range from risk assessment to immunizations and wellness initiatives. 

Integration of both health promotion and safety into occupational health services helps everyone

It does not matter what size the company or organization, any business can integrate their health promotion, environmental and safety programs.   There is a range of activities which can be implemented including worker health status, early recognition and treatment of illness or injury, addressing personal health risks, and creating a culture of health and safety.  The occupational health services provided by Medical Access in partnership with Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown, Maryland helps employers provide the best of these two health initiatives. 

Back pain: when to see a doctor

When to see a doctor if you have back pain

If your back hurts, you may not be sure if you should see a doctor.  When back pain is combined with certain other symptoms, you should make an appointment with your doctor.  These symptoms may indicate tumors, fractures, or an infection in the spine.  Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown, Maryland have primary care physicians on staff who can readily evaluate your back pain and propose a course of treatment. 

If you have fever

If you have a fever along with back pain, it is possible that you have an infection.  Fever can be an indication of something systemic and should be evaluated by a doctor. 

If you suffer a trauma

When you experience some type of serious trauma such as a car accident or a fall from a height, you should see your primary care doctor. 

If you are experiencing tingling or numbness

If you have numbness or tingling, you may have some type of nerve damage or irritation. This should not be left untreated since prolonged nerve damage or irritation can lead to permanent disabilities.  The primary care physicians at Germantown Primary Care Associates are experts at diagnosing this type of condition and recommending treatment.

If you have foot drop

If you find yourself dragging a foot, you may have a condition known as foot drop.  This condition may be accompanied by back pain and it usually symptomatic of another, more critical condition.

Make an appointment at Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown, Maryland for evaluation of your back pain.  Any of these issues indicate when to see adoctor about back pain.  

A current immigration physical exam is required for all immigration visa applicants

Every immigrant visa applicant to the United States must have a current immigration physical exam

The immigration physical exam determines whether or not a person has any health conditions which may need attention prior to the person immigrating.  There are two physicians certified to perform the immigration physical exam at Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown, Maryland.

Conditions of admissibility

Civil surgeons and panel physicians perform the immigration physical exam and will classify any medical conditions into Class A or Class B.  Anyone determined to have a Class A medical condition will be ineligible for admission to the United States.  There are four Class A medical conditions which make an applicant inadmissible for entry to the United States based on medical grounds.  These are having a communicable disease, being a drug addict or abuser, currently or in the past having a mental or physical disorder with indications of harmful behavior and not having the required vaccinations. 

Certain are other medical conditions, including mental or physical abnormalities, diseases, or permanent/serious disabilities may be considered Class B conditions and may be waivered. The U.S. Civil Surgeons at Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown, Maryland can identify any medical conditions during the immigration physical exam and determine if they are Class A or Class B.

Before the immigration physical exam

It is important to make an appointment as soon as possible so the application is not delayed.  All applicants should bring a completed form I-693, along with a government issued photo ID, proof of vaccinations, and their medical history to their appointment.  At Germantown PrimaryCare Associates, patients scheduled for the immigration physical exam should also bring payment for services.

There are physicians at Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown, Maryland who are certified to perform the immigration physical exam.  Anyone needing an immigration physical exam should give them a call today. 

Germantown Primary Care Associates conduct DOT and Immigration physicals

Types of physicals conducted by Germantown Primary Care Associates

The physicians at Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown, Maryland can conduct any type of health physical you may need. We are experts in assuring all criteria are met, including the very stringent requirements of the DOT and immigration physicals.

Our doctors specialize in the Department of Transportation (DOT) physical and the Immigration physical examination.  Both of these physical examinations have very detailed criteria, requiring certain areas of expertise. 

The requirements for DOT physicals

Before someone can get their commercial driver’s license, they must pass a DOT physical.  This physical determines if a potential driver is physically capable of safely driving.  The basic requirements of DOT physicals include vision, hearing, blood pressure check, diabetes and blood sugar check, drug test for schedule 1 drugs, and a cardio stress test if the applicant has any history of cardiac disease or issues.  

The requirements for Immigration physicals

In order to obtain permanent visa status within the United States, individuals must first pass an immigration physical conducted by a U.S. civil surgeon.  These physicals determine if they have any diseases or conditions which would make them ineligible for permanent immigration status.  Germantown Primary Care Associates’ Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Manbir Takhar is a certified U.S. Civil Surgeon authorized to perform immigration physicals.  The requirements of the immigration physical include a basic physical exam, testing for syphilis, evaluation of the full medical history, checking for immunizations, testing for tuberculosis, and chest x-rays, if necessary.

Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown, Maryland provides both DOT and Immigration physicals. Call Germantown Primary Care Associates today to schedule an appointment for any of these types of physicals.  

Ask your clinical health practitioner if you have allergies or a cold

See your clinical health practitioner to determine if you have allergies or a cold

It may be hard to determine if you have a cold or are suffering from allergies. The symptoms are similar making it hard to determine what is wrong without the help of a clinical health provider. The physicians and health care providers at Germantown Primary Care Associates can diagnose and treat all forms of allergies.

Symptoms and causes of allergies and colds

Symptoms of seasonal allergies include a clear runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, and a headache. Other, more severe reactions may include hives or difficulty breathing. Cold symptoms are very similar, but also include congestion.  Causes of allergies can include pollen, dust, and mold.  Other causes can be pet dander, pollution or smoke, as well as medications and food. Cold are caused by a virus.  If you are suffering from symptoms of allergies or a cold you can visit your clinical health provider for diagnosis and treatment.

Is it a cold or allergies?

The clinical health providers at Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown, Maryland can determine if you are suffering from a cold or if you have allergies.  A cold will typically last about two weeks, while allergy symptoms will last until you are no longer exposed to the allergen.  Allergy symptoms may come and go, especially if they are seasonal such as pollen. 

Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown, Maryland can schedule an appointment for you to evaluate your condition and determine the best treatment options. 

Work injury treatment for common workplace injuries

Common injuries which may require work injury treatment

No matter where you work, workplace injuries can happen.  There are certain jobs where incidents resulting in work injury treatment may be more common.  Certain types of injuries are more common than others. 

Falls – This type of injury occurs when an employee falls.  They can occur on a level surface or from a higher surface.

Repetitive motion – The best example of this type of injury is carpal tunnel caused by computer keystroking for long periods of time. The primary care physicians at Germantown Primary Care Associates are experts at providing work injury treatment for repetitive motion conditions.

Struck by or against an object – These injuries occur when an employ is struck by a falling object or runs into a permanent structure or object.  These injuries can be severe and in Germantown, Maryland the employee can receive work injury treatment at Germantown Primary Care Associates. 

Compressed by or caught in – These injuries are some of the most severe.   These types of injuries can also occur if an employee is exposed to extremely high or extremely low temperatures for extended periods of time.

Vehicle or highway accidents –  Injuries resulting from vehicle accidents can receive immediate work injury treatment at Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown, Maryland.

Violent acts or assaults – Thankfully, these type of incidents do not occur frequently, but when they do the employees may need work injury treatment.  The physicians and healthcare providers at Germantown Primary Care Associates are available to treat any of these injuries.

It is essential that injured employees receive work injury treatment as quickly as possible.  In Germantown, Maryland, Germantown Primary Care Associates will quickly and professionally provide work injury treatment to your employees. 

Diagnostic testing helps with early diagnosis of disease

Diagnostic testing helps diagnosis disease

Doctors and health practitioners use diagnostic testing to screen for diseases in people.  The primary goal of diagnostic testing is the early identification of diseases.  Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown, Maryland can perform a variety of diagnostic tests including lab work, x-rays, electrocardiograms, EKGs, cardiac stress tests, pulmonary function tests, drug screenings, and toxic substances screenings. 

Diagnostic testing accuracy

While never 100 percent accurate, most diagnostic tests are very accurate and help to identify the possibility of a disease early on.  Diagnostic testing may not be right for everyone.  There are some groups of people who can benefit from certain diagnostic testing such as people with a history of colorectal cancer who should have regular colonoscopies or colorectal examinations.  It also includes women who should undergo Pap smears and mammograms regularly.  Some of the most reliable diagnostic testing is for cardiac disease.  There are several risk factors for this disease and determining if a person has any of these can help a physician with diagnosis.   

High blood pressure is not only a risk factor for heart disease, but also for kidney failure, stroke, and eye problems.  At Germantown Primary Care Associates, our health care staff conduct blood pressure checks every time a patient arrives for an appointment.  Normal blood pressure is no higher than 140/90 and usually the lower the blood pressure, the lower the risk of more serious diseases.  If a patient has a high blood pressure reading, the physician will typically ask for at least three blood pressure readings over a certain period of time. 

It is always a good idea to undergo diagnostic testing if your doctor recommends it. The primary care doctors and staff at Germantown Primary Care Associates are experts in diagnostic testing, so call them today for your annual health screening.