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BayCare offers several convenient health care services that help get care you need to get back to feeling better.
Primary Care Services in Tampa Bay
BayCare Medical Group – Family and Internal Medicine Care
BayCare Medical Group has more than 65 primary care offices throughout the Tampa Bay area committed to offering comprehensive, patient-centered care. In addition to the routine or preventive care that you and your loved ones need, our primary care physicians can connect you to BayCare Medical Group’s extensive network of specialists. The primary care physician (PCP) offers the first point of contact for the patient with an undiagnosed health concern, as well as, continued care for a variety of health conditions, yearly physical exams and preventive medicine.
As part of the BayCare Health System, our providers are committed to providing you with a complete continuum of care. BayCare Medical Group physicians have direct access to 16 leading Tampa Bay hospitals. You will always know you are receiving our very best care, close to home.
The benefits of having a BayCare Medical Group doctor include:
- 95% of BayCare Medical Group patients would recommend their doctor
- 96% of our patients say it's easy to talk to their doctor
- Online scheduling for primary care and some specialties
- Contracted with a broad range of commercial insurance and Medicare Advantage plans
- The most clinic locations of any medical group across the Tampa Bay region
- Your medical records are accessible at all BayCare urgent care and acute-care hospitals
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Your primary care physician is the leader of your health care team.
Your primary care physician is the leader of your health care team. They counsel you on general health and wellness, and work with other doctors and care members to ensure you’re getting the right care at the right time. Primary care physicians fall into one of three categories: family medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics.
Family Medicine
A family medicine doctor, also known as a family practitioner, is both a pediatrician and an internal medicine doctor combined into one specialty. They care for children and adults of all ages. Family medicine doctors are trained and certified with the intent to be able to treat the entire spectrum of medical issues that might be experienced by the members of a family unit throughout their lifetime.
Internal Medicine
An internal medicine doctor cares for adults; patients 18 years and older. Internal medicine is a versatile brand of medicine focused on the prevention and treatment of diseases. “Internists” educate patients on general health, wellness and disease prevention, and also handle complex medical conditions. BayCare Medical Group internists are specially trained and certified to treat a variety of adult conditions, throughout every stage of life.
Subspecialties of internal medicine include adolescent medicine, allergy and immunology, cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, geriatrics, hematology, infectious disease, nephrology, oncology, pulmonology, rheumatology and sports medicine.
Pediatrics
A pediatrician cares for children from the first days of life through young adulthood. They are specially trained to offer your child quality care from routine checkups to immunizations and treatment for childhood illnesses.
Do I Need a Primary Care Physician?
It's important to have a primary care physician (PCP). They get to know you, your history and your family health history. Building a long-term relationship with your PCP can translate to major health benefits over your lifetime, such as lower overall health costs, a decrease in hospital and ER visits, and better management of chronic diseases.
I Rarely Get Sick. Why Do I Need a PCP?
Your primary care physician can identify health issues in their early stages before they become major problems. They offer preventive care such as immunizations, regular imaging and lab testing, such as cholesterol, blood pressure, flu shots and cancer screenings, as well as diet and lifestyle advice to maintain or improve your health.
What Is the Role of a Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner in a Primary Care Clinic?
Physician assistants (PAs) practice medicine on a team and are supervised by physicians, surgeons and other healthcare workers. A PA can diagnose a patient or prescribe treatment. Nurse practitioners (NPs) are advanced practice registered nurses who have advanced clinical training. They diagnose and treat medical problems, perform advanced procedures and prescribe medications.