3 reasons a primary care physician is your healthcare quarterback – UChicago Medicine

The Role of Primary Care in Advancing Sustainable Development Goal 3

The function of a Primary Care Physician (PCP) is integral to achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. PCPs serve as the central point of contact for individuals within the healthcare system, providing comprehensive and continuous medical care that is fundamental to building a resilient public health infrastructure.

Core Functions of Primary Care in Health Management

PCPs perform several critical functions that directly support the targets outlined in SDG 3, from preventative care and early detection to the management of chronic non-communicable diseases.

Proactive Health Screening and Early Detection

A key strategy in promoting long-term health is the early identification of health risks. This aligns with SDG Target 3.4, which seeks to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment. PCPs facilitate this by:

• Ordering routine baseline tests to detect asymptomatic conditions such as high cholesterol and high blood sugar.
• Conducting screenings for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), contributing to SDG Target 3.7 regarding universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services.
• Tailoring preventative care plans based on individual and family medical history, such as recommending early colonoscopies for those with a familial risk of colon cancer.

Integrated Healthcare Coordination

Effective management of patient health requires seamless coordination among various medical specialists, a core component of achieving universal health coverage as specified in SDG Target 3.8. A PCP manages a patient’s overall health strategy by:

1. Coordinating care with specialists for both acute illnesses and chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension.
2. Monitoring patient progress across different treatments to ensure a cohesive and effective healthcare plan.
3. Serving as the primary provider for patients throughout all stages of life, from pediatrics to adult internal medicine, ensuring continuity of care.

Long-Term Health and Preventative Strategy

The long-term patient-physician relationship is crucial for preventative medicine. Regular checkups and ongoing health management are cost-effective measures that reduce the future burden of disease, supporting both the health and economic goals of SDG 3.

• Annual checkups monitor key health indicators like blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.
• PCPs ensure patients remain current with essential immunizations, a cornerstone of public health and SDG Target 3.8.
• By focusing on prevention, PCPs help mitigate the long-term damage and higher costs associated with treating advanced conditions like obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, directly contributing to the reduction of premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (SDG Target 3.4).

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed in the Article

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • The entire article is centered on promoting health and well-being through the role of a Primary Care Physician (PCP). It emphasizes preventive care, management of chronic non-communicable diseases, and ensuring access to essential health services like immunizations and checkups, which are core components of SDG 3.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

1. Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.

   • The article directly addresses this target by highlighting the PCP’s role in preventing and managing non-communicable diseases. It states that conditions like “high cholesterol, high blood sugar,” “diabetes,” “hypertension,” and “obesity” are easier and cheaper to prevent than to treat. The focus on early detection through routine checkups is a key strategy for reducing mortality from these diseases.

2. Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.

   • The article connects to this target by describing efforts to make essential healthcare services accessible. It mentions having “15 locations in Chicago, the south suburbs and Northwest Indiana,” and making it easy to book visits with “online scheduling, same-day appointments and virtual visits.” The provision of services like “immunizations,” “chronic condition management,” and “on-site lab testing” further demonstrates a commitment to providing quality essential healthcare.

3. Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular developing countries, for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.

   • On an individual level, the PCP’s role as a “quarterback” aligns with the principle of early warning and risk reduction. The article explains that PCPs “help you stay ahead of the game by identifying risks early and ordering baseline tests.” An example given is qualifying for an “early colonoscopy” based on a family risk of colon cancer, which is a direct application of health risk management.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. Indicators for Target 3.4

   • The article implies indicators such as the prevalence and management rates of chronic conditions. It specifically mentions checking “blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar” during annual checkups, which are measurable data points for tracking the prevention and control of hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

2. Indicators for Target 3.8

   • The article provides several measurable indicators related to healthcare access and coverage. These include the number of primary care locations (“15 locations”), the availability of accessible appointment systems (“online scheduling, same-day appointments and virtual visits”), and vaccination coverage rates (ensuring patients are “up to date on vaccines”).

3. Indicators for Target 3.d

   • Progress towards this target can be measured by indicators mentioned in the article, such as the rate of routine health screenings and checkups. Specifically, the percentage of the population undergoing “annual checkups,” receiving “baseline tests,” and being tested for STIs (“test for STIs if you’ve been sexually active”) can serve as measures of early warning and risk detection capacity.

Summary Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: uchicagomedicine.org