Primary Care in Arizona

Who is primary care for?

Primary care is for people of all ages. No matter if you're healthy, sick or living with a long-term health issue, primary care supports your overall health and well-being. Primary Care in Arizona includes five valley locations, each of which serves different people and needs:

Primary Care — Community Internal Medicine
Primary Care — Family Medicine Arrowhead
Primary Care — Family Medicine Phoenix
Primary Care — Family Medicine San Tan
Primary Care — Family Medicine Thunderbird

What is a primary care professional?

Primary care professionals manage your overall health. They diagnose and treat short-term and long-term health issues and provide preventive care to help you stay healthy. They are often doctors, but they also may be nurse practitioners or physician assistants. Your primary care professional partners with other members of your team to give you the best care possible.

Some primary care doctors are in the Mayo Clinic residency program. You may hear them called residents. They are licensed doctors who have entered the phase of their extensive training that includes caring for patients in clinical practices. Mayo Clinic staff doctors partner with and guide the residents who provide your care.

Will I always see my assigned primary care professional?

Your primary care doctor, nurse practitioner or physician assistant is one member of your care team. They oversee your health needs and overall care. But sometimes your needs are better met by other more-specialized team members. These team members talk about the care they provide you with your primary care professional.

Who will see me at my next appointment?

The care team member you see at an appointment depends on your specific needs that day. Your team is committed to making sure you get the right care in the most supportive and convenient way possible. You may see a nurse for a vaccination or blood pressure check, or you may need an appointment with a doctor to diagnose and treat an illness.

What is a care team?

Mayo Clinic is always working to improve patient care. To help with this, your primary care professional and care team have started working more closely together. Some teams even share the same workspace. When you talk to one member of your care team, the whole team will talk about how best to help you. Each time you meet with your team, they will listen to all your health concerns and give you personalized advice to help you stay healthy or feel better.

What are the benefits of having a care team instead of seeing my own healthcare professional every time?

This team-based approach improves your care in several ways. Instead of just one person, you have a whole team supporting you. If you need to see a specialist, your care team will connect you to the right person. They will remind you when it's time for a checkup, vaccine or test. Often, you can get care faster because more people are ready to help you.

Why do I need to see a pharmacist?

Some care teams have a pharmacist. Pharmacists help you manage your medicines, avoid medicine safety problems and make cost-effective choices.

What are the benefits of seeing a registered nurse for an annual wellness visit?

Medicare has a program where registered nurses review your health needs with you. This makes visits with your primary care professional more efficient. Nurses will follow up with you about certain long-term conditions you have. They also can help with some of your regular checkups and health screenings.

Do I really need an annual exam?

You may not need an exam every year. It depends on your age, current and past health issues, and other things. You and your care team will decide when you need to get checkups, vaccines and health screening tests.

If you're worried about any health issues, don't wait for your next checkup. Call or send a secure message to your team to find out what kind of care you need.

Will I get a reminder each year about the preventive care I may need?

If you're not sure if you need a health screening test, checkup or vaccine and it wasn't talked about at your last visit, it's a good idea to call or send a secure message to your care team.

How can I refill a prescription?

If you filled your prescription at a pharmacy, you need to ask that pharmacy directly for a refill. Please allow up to 10 days to get your prescription.

Why should I contact my primary care team first when I have a specialty concern instead of going directly to the specialty area?

Your primary care team is your best place to start for any health concern. They know your health history and can help you get the right care. Sometimes it may seem easier to call specialty areas, such as urology, dermatology or ophthalmology, directly. But your care team can make sure you see the right specialist for your health need.

Who can help me figure out what care option is appropriate?

If you're not sure who to see about your symptoms, appointment line staff can guide you to the right level of care. If you know you need an appointment — such as for a well-child visit or a follow-up visit — they will help you schedule it. You also may reach a triage nurse or a care team member through secure messaging in the Mayo Clinic Patient Portal.

You scheduled me for an appointment with a social worker. How does this help me?

Social workers are working more closely with care teams. They talk with people about stress and other concerns and help them find the right services for support.