A primary care physician (PCP) also referred to as a primary care provider is a medical specialist practicing general medicine and is the first point of contact by a patient. From diagnosing to treating common medical problems or illness, a PCP is trained to interpret blood samples and x-ray reports, analyze patient’s symptoms and start initial treatment, and if needed refer to specialist physicians.
Candidates wanting to become a primary care physician will need to acquire MBBS degree first and then undertake the postgraduate program in primary care to be eligible for practice in this field. Based upon the specialization and the patient they treat, PCPs are of different types which include pediatricians, adolescent medicine specialists, internists, family practitioners, nurse practitioner or physician assistant, obstetricians, gynecologists, etc.
